In the Old Testament reading from the book of Exodus, God provides the Commandments for God's covenant with Israel. God has chosen the Israelites to be God's own people. In order for the Israelites to be God's people, they need to commit themselves to the covenant and act as people of God would act. The Commandments give them an outline of how God wants God's people to act.
For Israel, the Temple is a sign of God's presence. The Temple is the dwelling place of God. It is sacred space. Through his actions, Jesus calls attention to how the moneychangers and sellers have lost their respect for that sacred space. He challenges them to turn from their sin and to turn back to God by respecting the Temple. This is a classic Lenten message.
By our baptism, we are God's people. Therefore, we should act as people of God. The Scriptures and Church Tradition are our guidelines for how we should be as people of God. But sometimes we forget, we turn away, we put more importance on the things of the world than on the things of God. When we turn away from God, Jesus gives us signs that we need to repent and turn back to God. Sometimes those signs are as dramatic as chaos in a marketplace. Sometimes those signs are as subtle as a thought. But whether we experience Jesus' challenge as something dramatic or subtle, God calls us back. It's up to us to accept God's invitation to repent.
Faith Chat Question: How do you show God respect at church? At home? At school? At work?
Faith Response: Gather together as a family. Beginning with the youngest member of the family, have everyone gently place their hands on that person's head or shoulders. Then have each family member tell the person one way that they see Jesus in him or her. Continue this process with each person. End with a family group hug.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to love and respect you by showing love and respect for one another. Amen.
