John 2, 13-25:
Sunday, 7th March 2021 (3rd T C B)
This Sunday the Gospel tells us how Jesus drove the sellers out of the temple in Jerusalem. The feast of Passover was approaching and many people were coming from other places for the celebrations. In the temple it was possible to buy the victims for the offerings required by the Law of Moses or to exchange the different coins. It was the usual thing to do. And Jesus takes an action that may surprise us. He drives the merchants out of the temple, and as a reason he says that they have turned the house of God into a market place. The temple was meant to be the place of encounter with God, but Jesus finds the people busy trading and doing business.
Jesus’ action is a sign of love and faithfulness to God. It is also a sign of his disagreement with this kind of practice: with God we cannot relate to “deals” as if we were trying to condition God: I offer you so that you may give to me.
God’s action is always gratuitous. God gives out of love, and an unconditional love. “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” says the prophet and Jesus himself. This is the response He wants. He will endorse it with his resurrection.
In what spirit do we come to the celebration of the Lord’s day? Is there the thanksgiving, praise and joy of a feast day, or do we go expecting something in return? Would He cast us out today?
May our Sundays be the occasion to meet Jesus, his word and our brothers and sisters who share the same faith.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
