The New Renaissance

Renaissance!

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[a]

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.-John2:13-22

The Gospel reading spoke of how Jesus cleared the Temple. Because it was time for the Jewish Passover, it was expected that many people would go to Jerusalem to participate in the feast, make offerings and sacrifices, and to pray. To make things more convenient, cattle, sheep and doves were just around the corner for the people to buy, and money-changers were there, too, to make exchanges easy. Instead of a house of prayer, it became a marketplace where business was the main priority.

How are we inside the Church? Is the Church a house of prayer, or is it a good place to gossip? Is the Church a house of prayer, or is it a good place to meet with friends, boyfriends/girlfriends? Is the Church a house of prayer, or is it a picnic place for the children?

Yes. If Jesus cleared the Temple, the Church is in need of clearing as well. But don't get me wrong because it is not the structure that needed clearing and cleansing but the people on it from the Mass celebrant down to each and every people inside the Church. How is our life? How is our heart? Are there things or sins that needed to be cleared? Jesus is inviting us to join the Renaissance. And it begins in our hearts and minds through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Image courtesy: El Greco (Clearing of the Temple); artist