Vigils Reading

THE TRUE TEMPLE

AND CITY OF GOD

By St Hilary of Poitiers3

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God chose Zion for his abode and his dwelling place…But Zion was

ultimately destroyed. Where, then, is the everlasting throne of the Lord, where

his eternal resting place, where the temple on which he can reside? It is that

temple about which is written: “You are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God

dwells in you.”

This is the house and this is the temple of God, filled with the knowledge

and power of God; made fit for God’s indwelling by holiness of heart – to which

the prophet bore witness: “Holy is your temple, wonderful in justice.” Our

holiness, justice, and purity constitute a temple for the Lord.

Hence, this temple must be built by God. [If it is] erected by human labor,

it will never last; [if] founded on worldly wisdom, it will never hold together; [if

it is only] kept by our foolish labors and care, it will never be preserved. It is not

to be erected on shifting sand but firmly founded on the prophets and the

apostles; with living stones must it take shape, solidified by the cornerstone.

With its materials securely linked together it must grow to perfect maturity, to

the stature of the body of Christ, and is to be adorned with the beauty and

splendor of spiritual gifts…

For a long time already, the Lord has been keeping watch over this city.

He guards Abraham on his pilgrimage, rescues Isaac from immolation, rewards

Jacob for his years of service, and makes a powerful figure of Joseph sold into

Egypt. He strengthens Moses in his conflict with Pharaoh, delegates Joshua to

wage wars, delivers Daniel from all dangers, and bestows the gift of wisdom on

Solomon.

The Lord is there among his Prophets; he snatches up Elijah, chooses

Elisha, gives food to Daniel, and refreshes the youths in the fiery furnace. He

informs Joseph by an angel of his virgin birth, reassures Mary, and sends John

before him.

He chooses apostles, and prays to his Father with the words: “Holy

Father, protect them; as long as I was with them, I guarded them in your name.”

Finally, after his passion, he promises that he himself will have an eternal care

for us: “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world.”

Such is the never-ending protection of this blessed and holy city, which –

formed as it is of many come together into one and found in each of us – is

indeed the city of God.