Imagine the shock a priest would feel if he went over to retrieve the Blessed Sacrament from the Tabernacle only to find the ciborium crowded by other things: an iPhone, a bank book, a peanutbutter sandwich, a bottle of aspirin and a bottle of beer!
None of these things is bad; they're just in the wrong place, a place reserved for the Body of Christ alone.
Today's gospel (John 2:13-25) shows Jesus getting very angry when he visited the Temple. The Court of the Gentiles, the only place where nonJews could pray within the Temple, had been turned into a marketplace for worshipers to exchange "unclean" money for kosher currency and purchase animals for sacrifice! Bartering, deceit, swindling and exploitation profaned the Temple. Jesus' righteous indignation was not just about zeal for God's house but also on behalf of us Gentiles: "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations." (Mark 11:17) The market, however necessary, did not belong in that sacred place because it made it impossible for the Gentiles to pray there.
St. Paul reminds us that we form the living temple of God's presence. This Third Sunday in Lent invites us to open up the tabernacle of our hearts, made for Christ alone, and see whatever things, however good, are crowding out our love of God. Modern technology and toys, financial matters, food, health and social activities are good--- in their place. It's a question of priorities.
Do our preoccupations with worldly matters not only distract us from God but also contaminate our relationships with others? Does the way we relate to others make it difficult for them to pray? Do our words or actions not only drive people away from the church but away from God?
Lent invites us to examine and re-order our lives anew. What really matter? What's most important? Lent is the time for spiritual spring cleaning of our hearts.
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