March 15, 2009 Third Sunday of Lent Ex. 20:1-17; 1 Cor. 1:22-25; Jn. 2:13-25 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.usccb.org/nab/031509.shtml              ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     cleansing of the temple: By driving the merchants out of the temple precincts, Jesus symbolically cleansed it of superficial, external practice. Filled with zeal for the house of God, that special place where humans and God meet, Jesus challenges religious practice that is simply external.   How zealous are we for the household of God? How committed are we to the people who make up the church - not merely those whom we find in the external building, but all those who are in any way the people of God?   There is a need for righteous anger in the face of injustice, extortion, and especially, the exploitation of vulnerable people. Righteous anger is about taking of control, a move out of passive acceptance and toward change. Anger at such things is not a bad thing. Anger at injustice is an appropriate expression of love - it is a cry for righteousness. Righteous anger is not a loss of control. Jesus is not out of control, but very clear about the targets of his wrath.   The cleansing of the temple is a stark warning against any false sense of security. The Christian is led by the example of Jesus to confront evil and take the initiative in attacking that which dishonours God in human life.   Let each one of us examine what effect our religious faith and practice faith has on our lives. We need to take to our hearts that Jesus desires that there should be true religion which brings us closer to God, not creating barriers. There is often the presumption that our religion is good, but religious practice can be a hindrance and not a help.   Ø   Do we share the same zeal as Jesus to make our lives places of prayer, a meeting place with God?   Ø   Are we prepared this Lent to allow God by his Holy Spirit to make us cleansed temples? Ø   What can we do to transform us into the temple on earth that Jesus was so zealous to have?   A challenge to us all, personally and as a Christian community. May God open our eyes to our real selves that we might discover possibilities for change. And may we seek his power in enabling us to be the living witness which he calls us to be.   We certainly must be careful to ensure that our worship is honouring to God. Our worship and liturgy must be celebrated with reverence and obvious signs of preparedness. We need to be more openly welcoming to outsiders and strangers.     <<   Previous: Second Sunday of Lent  | Next: Fourth Sunday of Lent >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)