Is THIS the Gentle Jesus We Know and Love?
Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent (March 4, 2018): EX 20:1-17, PS 19:8,9,10,11, 1COR 1:22-25, JN 2:13-25
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The Temple of Jerusalem meant a great deal to Jesus. From His presentation there as an infant to His three days there as a youth talking with elders and, finally, as a adult on His mission, Jesus honored His Father’s house. Today we see this humble and holy teacher do something that seems at odds with His message of peace and mercy. “He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area… and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves, He said, ‘Take these out of here, and stop making My Father’s house a marketplace’” (John 2:15-16).
But Jesus was truly showing Himself as the Son of God and of Mary. Our Lord was justly angry that some people were making money at the expense of those who were trying to fulfill the law through their sacrifices. This dishonored His Father and created a burden for the poor. Jesus wanted His followers and all people to love and worship Almighty God with their whole being and to love and serve their neighbors as themselves. Let us always put God first by sacrificing our selfishness and self-interest and by looking after those in trouble or need.
