The Cleansing of the Temple

The Cleansing of the Temple

Actually the Third temple

-          1^st - Solomon

-          2^nd - Destroyed and  rebuilt After Babylonian Exile  539 BC

-          3^rd - Temple of Herod.    Destroyed in 70   all left is Wailing Wall.

They were people of the Covenant – 10 commandments

First three – honor and worship God.  One of the ways was to come to Jerusalem

to offer sacrifice, especially on Passover

1) Come a long way, would find it easier to purchase animals there.

But animals had to be without blemish – would not quickly certify animals from outside – so they had a cornered market.

2) Also – money be changed into shekels  -  was unclean - could not have pagan images.

Would charge a high rate of exchange.

3) All the buying and selling out of hand.  -  who could even pray with all the noise????

All this gave Jesus a righteous anger  -  some anger is good anger – for a good purpose – like Selma – to work for the right to vote

Jesus said: “my house shall be a house of prayer.”

Time for a radical cleaning.     Cleaned out the temple

This Scripture has a significant place in Lent

St. Paul wrote -  “Are you not a temple of the Holy Spirit?”

Time for cleaning of our temple!

The Perfect Instrument  -  Sacrament of Reconciliation

Father Christopher Walsh 

Some excuses:

1) Feelings of guilt and shame    -   face truth. Truth is difficult   I may have to change.

      Remember – all about the mercy of God who forgives & welcomes us back!

2) Vatican II changes  -   do I have to go face to face, how about old act of contrition

                                                go the way you always did.

3) May not know what to confess -   Sometimes children – I have no sins .  What if we were to ask Mom??? examine your conscience every day

                                                Look to 10 commendment as a helpful guide.

4) Why tell a priest?    Not a intermediary, but a mediator – a channel of the power of the Holy Spirit   -   You leave knowing, without question, you are forgiven

Godfather III

Don Corleone tells Cardinal legitimate deal with Vatican bank gone sour

Pick up stone  “It has been lying in water a very long time. The water has not penetrated it.. Smashes it  Look – perfectly dry. Same has happened to the men of Europe – surrounded by Christianity for centuries, but Christ does not live in their hearts.””

This is what we call a hardened heart.

Why not invite Jesus into our hearts for Lent? Cleanse the Temple – Get ready for Easter!