Those selling animals for sacrifice at the Temple and those exchanging coins had provided necessary services for centuries. Consequently, Jesus' cleansing of the Temple was puzzling.
To understand this, we need to see the Temple as a prefigurement of the Church, which Jesus loves so much even to the point of laying down His life for her (Eph 5:25). We go to Church; Jesus dies for her. We may see the Church as a group of people or a building. Jesus sees it as His Body (e.g. Eph 1:22-23) and His Bride (see Eph 5:27ff). Jesus' attitude toward the Church is characterized by zeal and self-sacrifice (see Jn 2:17; Ps 69:10). Jesus was consumed by His love for the Church.
As disciples of Jesus, do we have Jesus' attitude toward His Church? Is the Church our passion, our love, and our joy? Do we do the minimum or the maximum for His Church? Do we relate to the Church as consumers or as those being consumed? Do we look at the Church for value, convenience, and service? Do we "go to the Church of our choice"? Or do we let ourselves be consumed by the Church and her Head, Jesus?
In this Lent, join His Church by His standards.
| PRAYER: | Father, send the Holy Spirit to prepare the Church for Jesus' return. Make the Church "holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27). |
| PROMISE: | "For God's folly is wiser than men, and His weakness more powerful than men." –1 Cor 1:25 |
| PRAISE: | "I know that my Vindicator lives, and that He will at last stand forth upon the dust" (Jb 19:25). Praise the risen Jesus! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College