John 2:13-25

Although this gospel text has been chosen for the third Sunday in Lent,, a time when the Church is moving toward Holy Week and its focus on the events at end of Jesus life, this text itself comes from only the second chapter of John’s gospel. In John’s gospel Jesus journeys to Jerusalem three different times (John 2:13, 5:1, and 12:12) while in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus only makes one journey to Jerusalem at the end of his life. John makes sure those hearing his gospel know that the events recorded here take place during the feast of Passover. He mentions that fact at the beginning of the text and at the end. (2:13 and 2:23)

John’s description here might lead the reader to believe that Jesus was extremely upset by the presence of money changers and those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves. These people performed a necessary service for the many devout pilgrims who came from all over the world during these important holy days. To bring animals with them to sacrifice at the temple would have been extremely difficult. The currency of the day was Roman and usually bore the likeness of the emperor, who was worshiped as a god by the Romans. Sometimes their currency also contained an image of some other god. The use of the Roman coin as an offering would have been unthinkable. The merchants and the moneychangers performed a valuable service for the many pilgrims who came to the temple as an authentic expression of their relationship to God. They set up their tables in the temple area but were not in the temple itself.

If Jesus is not upset that these merchants are detracting from the people’s authentic expressions of their relationship with God, what is John telling us by his description of this incident? The prophet Zechariah describes a time when the fullness God will be present. One of the things he says is “And every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts; and all who come to sacrifice shall take them and cook in them. On that day there shall no longer be any merchant in the house of the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 14:21) This passages states that when the day of fulfillment comes, everything will be considered holy to God and there no longer be any need for merchants in the temple to sell unblemished animals for sacrifice. By his actions Jesus is saying that the time of fulfillment has come and their presence in no longer needed.

1. Have you ever been present when a person you know to be quiet and even-tempered became very angry? How did you feel at the time? What caused them to become angry? Can you identify some of the values that were involved for the person who became angry? Do you feel they were justified?
2. What is your experience of your own anger? Can you recall times when you regret acing out of your anger? Has anger over a situation ever lead you take action in that or similar situations?
3. Jesus does not become angry often. Can you think of other times Jesus became angry? Can you think of other times he used physical force?
4. Do you ever express your anger in your prayer?
5. What does Jesus’ action of turning over the money changers’ tables and driving out those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves say to you about how much he desires us to live a new, full relationship with God? How do you respond?

(Comments to Paul at pauljg@mindspring.com.)

Paul Gallagher, OFM
San Damiano Friary
4856 West 29th Street
Cicero, IL 60804
708.656.1022
pauljg@mindspring.com