Gospel LK 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
 
Reflection:
 
“Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer….”
The anger that spurred Jesus’ to drive the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifice from the temple flared within Him because they were doing these things in a holy place.
“…..but you have made it a den of thieves.”
Jesus’ was also indignant at the injustices done to the people who had come to worship. They were being cheated and taken advantage of while in the house of God.
“The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death…”
Jesus had already been marked as someone to be dealt with by the authorities; the chief priests were looking for any opportunity to arrest and execute Him.
“…..but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.”
The truth of Jesus’ message that God does not desire sacrifice but only desires us to show love for one another was beginning to resonate with the people. Although the chief priests were determine to kill Jesus who was a threat to their authority and wealth, they were fearful of provoking the people who were beginning to follow Jesus.
It takes a person of great conviction and courage to challenge the status quo and people in authority. Jesus Christ was such a man. He feared no one on this earth; His only concern was to follow the will of His Father in Heaven.
Jesus spoke out and acted against those selling things in the temple because He could not be silent in the face of wrong doing.
As followers of Christ, may we too embrace righteous anger when we witness the oppression of others and a disregard for that which is holy.
May we find the courage of Jesus Christ to speak out and stand up for what is right in the eyes of God.
“The world suffers, not because of violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people.”          – – Unknown