Spring Cleaning
Third Sunday of Lent
March 26th
Spring Cleaning
by Tom Cox

We find it hard to take correction from another person. We foolishly like to think that admonition is something we left behind in childhood. Yet if the police were to stop us for some breach of the law, the intelligent person would politely listen, admit wrong and take the ticket or a ticking-off graciously. However, if a citizen were to attempt correcting you, it's likely we would be less gracious and retort with; "who do you think you are correcting me..?" Very often in life, the issue is not what has been done but who has done it. By whose authority is the key.

So, it's no surprise that after cleansing the temple, the issue of Jesus' identity and authority is raised. While we're naturally careful in our use of something special that we own. We don't even come close to understanding how precious the temple in Jerusalem was to every Jew, Jesus included. Here the God who had led them from slavery in Egypt, who had given the life-giving Commandments (First Reading) as a pattern of loving response, had chosen to live. For today's believer, their church is an important place, to be used rightly. Important but not all-important. However, the real temples are bodies -- human beings -- of body, soul, and spirit. That is where God has created a place where he can dwell.

What would the Lord need to "clear" in the temple of your body? Will you let Him? Would you object?

(Comments to Tom at stmarysrcathlone@oceanfree.net )