Purify My Heart

The cleansing of the Temple appears in all the Gospels.  Within John's Gospel he also includes it and places it within early part of the ministry (Jn 2:13).  In the other Gospels, it anticipates the arrest and crucifixition at the end of the Gospels.  I have always understood the two versions as reflecting a continued antagonism at the center and throughout the ministry of Jesus.  But the violent action of the cleansing is a puzzle.  People often question me about these passages in Gospels dealing with the cleansing of the temple.  Jesus driving out the moneychangers is probably the second most questioned Gospel verse (Matthew 20:1-16 is the most questioned, but a subject for another day).  Why?  The violence of his actions seems at odds with the Gospel of love and the Beatitudes proclaimed throughout his ministry. 

Because the temple cleansing is so at odds with everything else in Jesus’ ministry, it emphasizes how corrupt the temple had become.  Jesus, though, is willing to offer himself in its place.  He is willingly sacrificing himself so that a New Jerusalem can be born.  All Gospel messages need to begin with our own evangelization.  What sins and corrupt practices need to be driven from our hearts.  Jesus has a zeal to purify us.   May this be our prayer.  Purify us that we might offer ourselves anew.

Be well and God bless,

Deacon Ed