Astounding and Perplexing
In the Gospel at Mass this Sunday Jesus says something astounding and perplexing which neither the Jewish authorities or his apostles understood.
Jesus had just chased the merchants from the outer court of the Temple, those who were selling oxen, and sheep and pigeons and the money – changers and poured out their coins and turned over their tables, saying “Take these things away: do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
We may think this was done on the spur of the moment but the facts suggest otherwise. Jesus sat there and made whip out of cords. ‘His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”’ This was a deliberate act and when the Jewish authorities asked him what sign he could show for doing these things, Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Jesus’ reply was taken literally whereas he was speaking about the temple of his body which the apostles understood only after his Resurrection.
His death on the cross for sins and his Resurrection would change everything for humankind for always.
In the second reading for this Sunday, St Paul says to the Corinthian Christians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are God’s temple.” (1 Corinthians, 3:9c-11, 16-17)
In the Eucharist Christ becomes truly present. We encounter him and become one with him.
More about the Eucharist is explained in my book, “Sursum Corda the Mass in my life,” published by New Life Publishing, www.goodnewsbooks.net just type in the title.
One Reply to “Astounding and Perplexing”
This is a rather difficult Gospel passage to understand really. However when broken down and contemplating what you say, Tom, it becomes really evident what the action of Jesus was and why. We see Jesus angry and showing emotions like any of us. However, it was purely because, yes, he was consumed by “zeal for His Father’s House”. That shows how much he loved His Father.
It fits with the second Reading – it is not often we think of our bodies being the “Temple of the Holy Spirit” and the fact that if that Temple within us is destroyed then God will destroy the *cause* of that destruction! Now that is very powerful. This is something we need to think about a lot more and reflect upon especially in Mass.
And… yes… your own Book is a marvellous recommendation.
Thank you for this reflection with resonates perfectly with the Homily we heard this Sunday both in person at Mass and also when listening to Homilies on it from Walsingham and Radio Maria England yesterday.
Thank you very much for this reflection, Tom!