Just Anger…

— by Lisa Greey

Today we see a very interesting and unexpected portrait of Jesus.  He literally makes a whip and uses it to empty the temple of the moneychangers and people selling animals for sacrifices.  He turns over tables and shouts at the people.  This is not the Jesus we are used to – the one who asks the children come to him!

I’m sure many of us have experienced anger.  Maybe we’ve even let it get out of control.  Is this the same reaction as Jesus’ in the gospel? Well, it depends on the circumstance!  Were you angry at an injustice?  Did someone harm your younger brother?  Or were you angry your younger brother wouldn’t let you have the remote control?  The difference is one situation is a matter of justice … no one should beat up your brother!  Who has the remote, however, is not a matter of justice – although you may want to argue it is!  Now when you got angry – at either circumstance – did those around you think of a scripture verse?  It’s unlikely!  Yet this is how the disciples respond to Jesus’ actions: “His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.”  Jesus was acting out of justice for God and God’s house, the temple.  He was not acting out of selfishness, but out of love for God.

In the first reading today, Moses receives the Ten Commandments.  These are not simply ‘rules’ but a way to live your life centered on God.  When Jesus comes and reveals himself in the New Testament, he teaches us that our hearts must be engaged in our faith, not only our minds.  He tells us it is not about the letter of the law but the state of our hearts.  Jesus’ actions in today’s gospel reveal the state of his heart.  He is passionate about the respect and honor due to God.  He does not want people visiting the temple to be cheated by the moneychangers.  Are we able to stand up for God in the different situations we face?  When someone takes God’s name in vain, or suggests that something like the Ten Commandments no longer apply to this age, do we stand up and say something?   Today’s gospel is a challenge to allow our hearts to be convicted about the respect and honor due to God and all he has created.  If we don’t stand up for God, even in small ways, how will we bring others to him?