Third Sunday of Lent

The Cleansing of the Temple
This is a very dramatic and startling episode in the Gospel narrative. The image of meek and mild Jesus is put into the shade by this driving out of the traders with a whip. Our Lord of course is totally justified. The commerce going on in the courtyard was supposed to be to enable people to buy animals for the ritual sacrifice commanded by God in the Law of Moses but the sellers had lost sight of the goal and turned it into a purely money-making enterprise.
As Temples of the Holy Spirit each one of us also has a duty to make sure that our own 'house is in order'. The season of Lent gives us a focused opportunity to cleanse the sanctuary of our souls. We can ask ourselves what things in our life stop us from being God's Temple? What things do we let block our hearts from God and his spirit? During this season we should all take stock and if needed clear out all that stops us from being flourishing member of the Church.
Father Alex McAllister
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