Third Sunday of Lent

In the Cycle of readings for this Third Sunday of Lent (year B), we have the cleansing of the Temple. Jesus Christ is zealous and in a controlled anger about those that would make the temple area a marketplace. When asked for the sign of His authority, He tells them to destroy 'this temple' and He will raise it up in three days. Naturally, they assumed that He was speaking of the temple, but He was speaking of another dwelling place of God - Himself.

In the First Reading, we hear the 10 Commandments. By the Church Fathers to put this readings together, we could reasonable assume that we are to make the connection that Christ is emphatic about us living the commandments out. The people in the Temple area, while providing a necessary service, lacked the love and respect of God. Their selling and trading of animals needed for sacrifice and offering was more focussed on profit than God, and the location in the Temple area must have been especially concerning. Christ is challenging them to a respect of the Temple as a respect of God. We know that the standards of the Commandments are raised by Christ into responding not just to the 'letter' of the Commandments, but to the intention - Love of God and neighbor in works of mercy. We can only live these out with God's grace. Therefore, we must ask for His grace!