They said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of
the temple of his body.
—John 2.20-21
From a lectionary reading for Lent 3: John 2.13-22
Reflection for the Third Sunday in Lent (March 11)
Years later, Jesus’ words will echo in Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. “Do you not know,” the apostle will ask them—and us—“that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3.16). We are the body of Christ, both broken and beautiful; in us God’s Spirit makes its home.
How is it with your temple this day?
Blessing the Body
This blessing takes
one look at you
and all it can say is
holy.
Holy hands.
Holy face.
Holy feet.
Holy everything
in between.
Holy even in pain.
Holy even when weary.
In brokenness, holy.
In shame, holy still.
Holy in delight.
Holy in distress.
Holy when being born.
Holy when we lay it down
at the hour of our death.
So, friend,
open your eyes
(holy eyes).
For one moment
see what this blessing sees,
this blessing that knows
how you have been formed
and knit together
in wonder and
in love.
Welcome this blessing
that folds its hands
in prayer
when it meets you;
receive this blessing
that wants to kneel
in reverence
before you:
you who are
temple,
sanctuary,
home for God
in this world.
—Jan Richardson
This reflection is part of the series “Teach Me Your Paths: A Pilgrimage into Lent.” If you’re new to the series, welcome! You can visit the first post, Teach Me Your Paths: Entering Lent, to pick it up from the beginning.
P.S. For a previous reflection on this passage, click the image or title below:
Lent 3: The Temple in His Bones
[To use the image “The Temple of His Body,” please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com. Your use of janrichardsonimages.com helps make the ministry of The Painted Prayerbook possible. Thank you!]
March 5, 2012 at 5:11 PM |
Your words, your images, your work are truly life-giving
Thank you, and blessings for all you do
March 16, 2012 at 11:10 AM |
Thank you, Sally! And blessings to you as well. I am so grateful for your words.
March 6, 2012 at 9:03 AM |
Beautiful blessing, thank you so much.
March 16, 2012 at 11:11 AM |
Many thanks, Doreen! It’s a treat to hear from you. Peace to you in these Lenten days.
March 6, 2012 at 12:03 PM |
amazingly, you always offer a beautiful new perspective that is life-giving all right! thank you so much.
March 16, 2012 at 11:11 AM |
Thank you, Claudia! I am grateful. Blessings to you!
March 9, 2012 at 4:20 PM |
keeping death vigil with a beloved father-in-love makes blessings of the body ethereal, poignant….. holy. thank you, Jan.
March 9, 2012 at 4:53 PM |
Holly, thank you. I send you and yours many blessings as you keep vigil with your father-in-love. Deep peace to you, to him, and to those who watch and wait in this time.
March 1, 2018 at 4:04 PM |
I love this blessing/reminder more with each reading. Thank you for these words in this season.
March 1, 2018 at 11:27 PM |
Thank you so much, Carolyn! I am grateful for you in this and every season.
March 1, 2018 at 8:51 PM |
Thank you so much for this. As I read it, my mother is at emergency with a broken wrist that they’re trying to align, and my cousin and his wife are struggling with progressive ALS. And my child struggles with his own disabilities. So many reminders of how our bodies can be broken. But you’ve reminded me that our bodies are holy, knit by the Creator. Thank you.
March 1, 2018 at 11:27 PM |
HJ, thank you for the gift of your words. I am so sorry your mom has had to make a trip to emergency today, and I am praying many blessings for her and her wrist. Blessings as well for your cousin and his wife, and for your child—and for you! May each of you be accompanied by many graces for body and soul. Thank you again.