Cleanse your temple

“My house will be a house of prayer’;
but you have made it `a den of robbers.'”

(Luke 19:46)

Reflection:
In Luke’s account Jesus, after His so-called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, went straight to the Temple and drove out those who were engaged in commerce there. In Matthews account this included overturning the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. In John’s description He also drove out the sheep and cattle that were being offered for sale. Not only had the house of God become a place of commerce but because of the sharp practice of many of the people involved it was also a ‘den of robbers.’

Paul teaches us that now,

• “we are the temple of the living God.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)

• “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

• “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Lent gives us an opportunity to examine our own lives and to clean up our own acts. There are many aspects to our lives that can seem like separate rooms. Each one needs to be looked into and cleaned out from time to time. It’s important that we do so if we are to live out and reflect God’s great love and glory.

Allow God to lead you into the rooms of your ‘temple’ and to draw your attention to what needs to be taken out, forgiven and cleansed – or cherished and developed.

Response:
Start with 5 minutes now. Yes you can!

Prayer:

Lord God please show me what does and does not please You in my life. Please help me to want to change and to do so with Your help. Amen.

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