The Community of Taizé sing “the Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.”

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 2:13-21

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the temple of his body.

The Temple was the symbolic centre of power of the religious and political leaders of Israel. These leaders, the chief priests and their scribes, were collecting taxes from the people, some of which went to Rome and some to themselves. They were comfortable, as long as they did their job. The population were peasant poor and living in extreme poverty. Their children died young. This was, and always is, unacceptable. How do you imagine life at this time?

Jesus is proclaiming a different kingdom to that of Rome. God’s kingdom was of justice. The poor would have enough to eat in God’s kingdom. For Jesus to be Jesus he has to challenge the oppression of the Empire. Imagine yourself in this time... waiting for Messiah to come. What would you hope for?

Now as he hear the passage again, go to that Temple with Jesus and watch what he does, and see why he is doing it...

John 2:13-21

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the temple of his body.

What does Jesus want to say to you about this act? Speak with him now...

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen