The Temple and the Feast of Tabernacles

In addition to growing plants, the Temple functions as a small chapel. The theological symbolism that now exists there has taken on a life of its own.

To be more precise, this structure is more a "Tabernacle" than a "Temple," although the spiritual sacrifices offered there make it Temple- like.

After I built this building, I discovered more details about the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. The appearance of my greenhouse to the Sukka built by modern-day observant Jews during October was quite surprising.

 

 

Sukka roofs during the Feast of Tabernacles

 

A Sukka in someone's backyard

 

 

When I built my Temple, I made it from 4' x 8' panels that are bolted together. No panel weighs more than 25 pounds. The "temporary" nature of this structure ties into the ancient Jewish people, who until the Nation of Israel was established,  were repeatedly exiled all around the world. A difference between my version of a sukka and the authentic ones,  is that in the Temple the required foliage is inside.

 

As a Catholic, I belong to a the New Covenant form of Judaism. In fact, Jewish converts to Catholicism have told of their surprise that the Mass initially seemed like a Synagogue with Christ. The discovery of this Jewish feast is one of the fun moments when the Jewish foundation of our Church jumps out at me.

 

 

Typology at the Temple

 

 

An Old Testament "type" is a person, place or event that points to an event in the New Testament. Theologians have taught that the New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New.

 

The statue of the Blessed Mother is turned in deference towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue.

 

 

The symbolism portrayed by these statues reminds one of the very beginning. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This was the First Adam and the First Eve. Our first parents fell from grace, having been deceived by the Devil. They were then banished from the Garden.

 

The "Last Adam" is the Lord Jesus Christ. ((I Corinthians 15:45). He began his suffering alone in the Garden of Gethsemane  (Matthew 26:36-56), which opened the way for us sinners to re-enter the Garden and eat the fruit of the Tree of Life.

 

His Mother is portrayed in Catholicism as the "Second Eve" or "Last Eve." Although abundant scriptural texts exist supporting this belief, it was  a later development of doctrine, well articulated by Cardinal John Henry Newman.

 

I spend many hours today enjoying my "Temple" with images of the "Last Adam" and the "Last Eve" in the garden.