November 22, 2024

I start by saying I’m sorry that I have been distracted.  Jesus and the celestial beings simply shine forth in response.  They are always there eternally.  Today I hear that it is OK that I do contemplative prayer sessions very privately as I do (except for attending centering prayer group), because, “Did Jesus not say to pray to your Father in secret in your room with the door shut? (Matthew 6:6)  So it is fine that you are doing that.”

Luke 19:45-48

In today’s reading, Jesus entered the temple area and drove out those who were selling things, saying, “It is written my house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” Every day he was teaching in the temple area, but the religious powers that be (the chief priests and so on) were seeking to put him to death.  They were not able to do it though, because all the people were hanging on his words.

The temple is first of all a place of prayer, as are churches meant to be today.  Clearly Jesus finds no place for commerce and avarice in the sacred temple, which should be for selfless prayer devoted to the Father. 

A second meaning is that the temple represents our own body, which we should keep clean of consumerism, avarice, and addiction to money so that it can be suitable for prayer. Of course we must care for our livelihoods and our families, but this meaning is more on the spiritual and psychological level.  Where are our priorities?  Simple living can be wholesome and satisfying, connecting with the earth and sky, our sacred world.

Thirdly, as a society, our communal idolization and worship of the almighty dollar (or other currency) brings us great harm, and also harms the earth, it is clear.  Let us pray for increased sanity, health, and respect for creation in our society. 

The people were hanging on Jesus’ every word, because he saw them, he cared for them, and he loved them, poor and outcast as they were. Let us be like Jesus.  Amen.