 |
| Dublin Cathedral: column base illustrating the Corporal Works of Mercy |
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”
Both readings today invite us to reflect upon the buildings we call churches and our respect for them. The first concern of the Maccabean warriors after expelling the Seleucid rulers and regaining control of their holy city, was to restore and purify the temple with its rituals and resident priests. Even before they cleared the citadel of the last gentile resistance, they removed the desecrated altar and erected a new one from recently excavated stones.
Jesus recalled that tradition of restoring and purifying the temple and its rites when he stormed into it, a one-man riot, and drove out the merchants.
It's hard to ignore the implications of these readings today. Attempts to restore some degree of reverence to our sanctuaries, our clothing, and our behavior within the church are often met with sanctimonious cries about inclusiveness, hospitality, and "God doesn't think our clothes important." (As if they know what God thinks. As if God who is Truth thinks.)
We build the churches to provide a holy place where we might withdraw from the ugly behaviors, appearance, and attitudes of the world in which we live. We want to focus our attention and the affections of our heart on the eternal. We intentionally push aside the distractions that are hurled at us by a culture and economy that lives on the desperate edge of collapse. The world suffers a continual panic about what might happen if you or I ignore the news out of Washington or the sales in the grocery store. Does anyone really care what you think about Joe, Nancy, or Francis?
Entering the church we leave all that behind. If we must think about it, we'll pray for God's merciful guidance in our terrified world. But in the church we fear only the Lord who is worthy of our full attention and unalloyed homage. We'll be distracted from our inattention by candles, statues, and hymns. We will ask God to move in and make our hearts a house of prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.