The need of Cleansing the Temple

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 2:13-25*

*First Reading : Ex 20:1-17*

*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 1:22-25*

*The need of Cleansing the Temple*

*1) Jesus cleans the temple*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the cleansing of the Temple 

Temple is primarily meant for prayer and to have God experience 

When the temple becomes the place of business, it loses its significance and its value 

When Jesus entered the temple He saw a scene where the temple needed a thorough cleansing because, it had lost its value 

So finally Jesus cleans the temple and restores its original dignity for God experience

*2) Lent is a special  time for cleansing*

We are in the third Sunday of Lent 

Lent has a special significance for cleansing the temple and oneself 

All our spiritual activities highlight the importance of cleansing our life and our surroundings 

A place or a life, which is not clean or filled with dirty things can't be used for any purpose 

So this Lenten season calls us for cleansing our life 

*3) Temple of the Holy Spirit*

St Paul beautifully highlights the importance of our life 

He says *Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit* 1Cor 6:19

So our life is like a Holy Temple, in which the presence of God is very much Found 

But the Question is, *Is my life still a temple of the Holy Spirit?*

Do I need any form of cleansing? 

Is there anything in my life that has to be removed? 

Cleansing of the Temple definitely has a direct reference for cleansing of our own life 

*4) Life as a market place?*

The cleansing of the temple also draws our attention to the market place 

In this context, our life at times may become  a market place 

When God given talents, skills, physical strength, knowledge, wisdom, intelligence and courage is used for purely making money and not for service, life becomes a market place 

All of us should be aware of this tendency in us 

*5) Importance of the Service*

God has given this life to serve one another

The primary purpose of our life to Love God and our neighbor thorough service. If there is no service in our life, there is no meaning for our life 

We become the temple of the Holy Spirit through Service and not by business  

*6) Need of Cleansing*

There are many areas which need cleansing. Without which our life becomes meaningless

If so, which are the areas, really need the divine cleansing? 

Sacrament of reconciliation is the powerful tool to cleanse our life, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit 

May cleansing of our life, facilitate Jesus to dwell in our lives

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*