Cleansing of the Temple

Today's Reflections

Cleansing of the Temple

Jn 2:13-25

¹³Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. ¹⁵He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, ¹⁶and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” ¹⁷His disciples recalled the words of scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” ¹⁸At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” ¹⁹Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” ²¹But he was speaking about the temple of his body. ²²Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

²³While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. ²⁴But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, ²⁵and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

Reflection:
 

STOP MAKING MY FATHER'S HOUSE A MARKETPLACE. John presents the human side of Jesus—he is offended and angry. Jesus reclaims the Temple as his Father’s house.

The cleansing of the temple tells us three things.

First, worship or participation in church should be done with reverence and love. We go to church and attend the celebration of the sacraments to pray to God and join the community in praising and thanking the Lord.

Second, God wants mercy and not sacrifice. Sacrificial offerings do not replace compassion and charitable works. To love and to forgive are far better than temple or church rituals.

Third, God cannot be confined to the temple or church. Jesus must be the center and focal point of our worship. God is present not only in the temple or church but also in the hearts of people.

By our baptism, we have been cleansed of sin. We have become worthy and pure temples of God. We are God’s people and dwelling place.

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16).