Zeal For Your House

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A meditation in John’s Gospel, Chapter 2, Verses 13-22, using imaginative contemplation.

This episode looks at the story of Jesus overthrowing the traders in the temple.

I’m not in a position to offer authoritative information on the background of this story, but my understanding is that Jesus’ anger here is around the financial barriers that have arisen between the poor and worship.

The Torah law and customary religious practice required attending the temple and making sacrifice of particular animals at particular moments in the year, or at particular moments in a person’s lifetime. People would travel to Jerusalem from all directions in order to observe religious festivals. On those occasions, in order to pay the temple tax, they would change their local or Roman currency into currency which could be used for religious purposes. They would also buy their sacrificial animals within the temple walls.

Clearly a significant amount of profiteering had crept in, and Jesus, who had attended festivals in the Temple every year since he was a small child, had likely seen first hand the burden this put on his family, and other families whose means were tight.

This week, I’m seeing Jesus’ zeal here as having quality of a mother who, when the need arises, can sweep in with an unexpected ferocity, to defend and protect her little ones.

I wonder where this meditation will take your thoughts and responses.

Blessings, always, as you pray.

Lissy x

Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.

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All music by Pete Hatch.