THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 2,13-25.

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.

He 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,

and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”

His disciples recalled the words of scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Therefore, 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.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well

The Gospel for today speaks about the cleansing of the temple. Jesus was very upset because people around makes the temple as a venue for bussiness.”Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!” They did not think about God but they only wanted for money. (Desecration of the temple). Things we need to remember and to keep in mind. First, the church is not a market place. It is not a proper place to earn money. It is not the right venue for collecting funds. The church is not a business site for commerce but a place for worship and prayer. What is the difference between the church and the market place? In the market place, you buy and you get. While in the church, you just ask then you get. Brethren, the temple is a meeting place of heaven and earth. Respect it, make it sacred.

Secondly, God is not pleased with dishonest people. He hates an extortionist. god hates corruption. He overturned the tables of those money changers because their is so much abuse and corruption brought about by greed and love for money. In worshiping God we don’t need money, animals, fruits etc. The best sacrifice you can offer to God is yourself. Even if you dont have envelopes, go to church. Your presence is more important than the value of your envelopes. Friends, your life is precious and special irreplaceable gift to Jesus, take care of it.

Finally, keep this in mind: our body is the new temple of God. How to make it clean? Well, do not commit adultery, do not kill, respect life. Stop abortion. Respect others: children honor your parents. Suffice it to say, keep your body pure and clean for the soul to reside in. Try to be sinless. Refrain from making your body dirty. Friends, the temple of God is holy and that temple is YOU.

THE GIFT OF FAITH THROUGH THE LIVING WATERS OF CHRIST 

Today, as we reflect on Jesus’ temple cleansing, we’re reminded of his prophetic voice against injustice and corruption.

This challenges us to live out our faith authentically and guide others onto the right path, especially amidst suffering and injustice.

Consider the woman at the well: burdened by judgment and past mistakes, she encounters Jesus’ unexpected warmth. He offers her spiritual renewal, symbolized by living water.

Through this encounter, she finds faith and shares it with her community, embodying Jesus’ call to authenticity and transformation. Let’s follow her example, embracing our encounters with Jesus and becoming voices of hope and redemption for others.

Let Us Keep God’s Temple Holy.

When Jesus arrived at the Temple he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” – (Luke 19:46).

Father, you have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer, fasting and works of mercy. When we are discouraged by our weakness, give us confidence in your ever faithful love. 

O God, the author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy…Amen.