Lent 3B (John 2:13-22)

“Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” What provokes such a strong reaction from Jesus that he fashions a whip from cords, drives out the livestock merchants, and overturns the money changers' tables? Clearly, his ire is directed towards the merchants and money changers, but if we consider who permits their activities within the temple, his anger is aimed at the temple authorities. So, what triggers this anger? What disturbs Jesus so deeply? What does he perceive as unjust? What is his primary concern?​

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, his focus remains steadfastly on the kingdom of God within. He is distressed to see the presence of merchants in the temple; but more so, he is incensed by the religious authorities erecting barriers between God and people instead of guiding and encouraging them to encounter God in their lives. People are taught that they must make sacrifices to experience God. God isn’t free. God is only available to those who can afford to purchase cattle, sheep, or doves. Who knows there’s a loan service certified by the temple authorities for those who don’t have money? This human-made barrier not only obstructs their path to God but also confines God within a physical space.

This reality stands in stark opposition to the truth that Jesus presents to all. Against this misconception of God’s accessibility, he continues to assert his message: “The kingdom of God is within you.” In today’s gospel lesson, we witness his fervor for the presence of God in the most radical manner. He upends things in the temple, not only through his rather forceful actions but also through his words: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (This is his response to those demanding a sign from God, but who are really asking him to prove his authenticity as a messenger of God.)

We know what his saying refers to: resurrection. But let’s make this three-dimensional. Imagine Jesus pointing to himself when he says “this temple.” This temple is his body where God dwells. This applies to us all. Our body is the temple where God dwells. What makes the body God’s temple is God’s presence within. This accessibility to God within is the core of Jesus’ teachings. We are thus the body of Christ. We believe God is present within us and all just as God is present in Christ.

Now, there are two take-aways we can glean from today’s gospel reading that we can apply to our lives. The first is to celebrate the good news of Jesus on this day. God is within you, regardless of who you are, where you are, or how you are. Since every Sunday is the resurrection Sunday (hence not included in the 40 days of Lent), we find joy and peace, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God that connects us with the living and the dead.

The second take-away from the reading is about examining and purifying our inner temple, which is a fitting spiritual practice during this Lenten season. What impedes your ability to be in God’s presence? Is it negative thoughts that breed anxiety and fear? Is it your image of God, which is subconsciously or unconsciously influenced by others rather than your own experiences and journey, shaped by the compassion and grace of God manifested through the kindness of people? If you identify any barriers, drive them away with a whip of trust and conviction in God’s faithfulness. If they intimidate you, overturn the table of worries, fears, and false narratives.

Let’s keep our inner temple neat and clean so that we can dwell in the presence of God as the Psalmist sings, “One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:5-6) The inner presence of God then becomes “more to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.” (Psalm 19:10)

​