THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
EXODUS 20:1–17; PSALM 19; 1 Corinthians 1:22–25; John 2:13–25
In the gospel reading, Jesus revolted against the desecration of the temple. He drove out all those who were defiling the temple. He said to them, “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers” (John 2:16). The house of God is a sacred place for worship; it is not a business center, nor is it a multipurpose hall. Let us learn to revere the house of God; let us guard against all kinds of abuses, profanations, and desecrations. We are in the church to pray, not to play.
When he drove them out, he used the words, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” In speaking of a “house of prayer” and a “den of thieves,” Jesus cited two passages from the Old Testament: In Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11, In the first part (Isaiah. 56:7), God’s temple was called “a house of prayer” twice. This emphasis shows God’s original design for the temple as a place of prayer and worship. In the second part (Jeremiah 7:11), the prophet Jeremiah was rebuking the temple leaders for their abuses and oppression of the needy.
The Temple of God is still abused with immodest dressing, inappropriate use of technology, and sacrilegious practices. Some use God’s name in vein, posing as prophets when they are not. Our body, the temple of God, is also abused due to immorality, theft, pride, anger, and envy.As Jesus cleansed the temple today, it is crucial to restore sanity to the church and our bodies.
Again, Jesus responds to the Jews who asked for a sign by saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Jesus was referring to his body. The Jews could not understand this. They rather preoccupied their minds with the number of years it took them to build the temple, which explains their literal-mindedness. Today, we are still very literal-minded about our faith. We are moved by our senses; we don’t see things from deeper wisdom; rather, we are busy with signs. Let’s be faithful. The ultimate sign is the resurrection.
Today’s readings also call for righteous indignation. We must correct faults, regardless of status or rank. In the first reading, we were given the code of living. Anyone living outside of this code of conduct should be reproached and corrected.Jesus’ reaction to the commercialization of the temple shows his righteous indignation against hypocrisy and exploitation. This teaches us the importance of standing up against injustice and corruption. The menace today only goes to show how we conceal and adapt to earthly patterns. Men and women must rise in holy zeal and reject these abuses.
Last but not least, the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:22-25) encourages us to embrace the apparent foolishness of the cross, to trust in God’s wisdom and power, and to find the ultimate source of boasting and confidence in Christ alone. Hence, recognizing God’s supremacy in all things.
Let us pray
O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
