In the gospel this week, Jesus discovers that the temple has been turned from a place of worship into a marketplace. The predominance of the selling of animals and the exchanging of money for profit overshadow what is supposed to be the main activity in the temple, worshiping God. Jesus argues that instead of helping people worship God, these vendors are getting in the way, and money becomes a god more valued than the God to whom the temple was dedicated. Jesus finds this situation unacceptable. The first commandment clearly states, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:3). Jesus will not allow anything, especially money, to be given more devotion than God. Speaking of himself, Jesus insists that God can “rebuild the Temple in three days” so that all people might be reconciled to God through him, making him the chapel of love – God’s triumphant love. Join us in worship as we explore what things might inhibit our worship of God and what stumbling blocks we might (un)knowingly place between people and God’s triumphant love.
Image: Casting out the moneychangers by Giotto di Bondone. In the public domain.