When we gather each Sunday for the Eucharist we read a small segment from the Bible. Over a three year period we read the entire New Testament accompanied by significant passages from the Old Testament. The idea of the three year cycle of readings is to bring the people of the Church to deal with the entire Scripture and not just the passages they like. It is meant to be a time for the Church to wrestle with the Word of God; when it is consoling and when it is very challenging.
On this Third Sunday of Lent (year B) we hear of Jesus cleaning out the buyers and sellers in the Temple area (remember the Temple was like a modern day mall with several sections). The people could not bring in any money from the Roman or Greek government (they contained the image of the emperor whom the pagans regarded as divine). The pilgrims had to exchange this for ‘holy money’ that could be used within the precincts of the Temple. It was there that pilgrims could also purchase birds and animals for their sacrifices.
What started out as a thoughtful practice soon generated into a money making proposition. Remember, all the merchants took a cut on every b business transaction.
Jesus abhorred this practice and faithful to his mission, he sought to get rid of a religion that did all the right things but was not concerned about living the right way. The outward forms of the religion were correct but the heart was corrupted! Jesus was trying to get rid of this religion. When he cleaned out this business section of the Temple he also was cutting into the profit-making business of the sellers.
When we tell the story of the cleaning out of the temple, we need to examine where we as Christian people have put too much emphasis on acquiring material wealth, putting the meaning of our life in success and fame and looking for our security in power and our personal skills. Where have we been doing all the correct religious things but not been concerned about the transformation of our heart?
What type of religious practices and attitudes would Jesus want to eliminate from our religious framework?
Fortunately, we are living in a time when Pope Francis is challenging the people of the church to get out of their beautiful buildings (i.e., he labels them museums) and get out onto the streets to care for the poor and suffering. Listen to his speeches and homilies and discover what he is asking the church/Christianity to let go and embrace the heart of the ‘poor Jesus.’
This is a strong challenge for the Third Sunday of Lent. What kind of religion does Jesus want to get rid of?
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