3rd Sunday of Lent (B) : 7th March 2021

“My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations.”

In the gospel reading, we see Jesus’ anger in the Temple. Jesus was angry because God’s house was being desecrated as it is to be a place of worship which needs to be given reverence, but the people had turned it into a market place.

Secondly, Jesus wanted to show the animal sacrifices was irrelevant, and it could not please God. What is important is that our offering to God should be from a loving heart, ready to surrender ourselves to God what we owe God.

Thirdly, in the first court of Gentiles in the Temple where the buying and selling were going on, it did not provide true worship space. This is so clearly indicated in God’s commandments as in the first reading in Exodus 20: 1-17.

We are expected to show reverence when we enter into the Church. What we offer ought to be from our sincere hearts, surrendering what we owe to God with gratitude. The place of worship has to serve its purpose for the worshippers.

Jesus’ action received reactions from the disciples and the Jews. Jesus’ reply: “… destroy this temple, and in three days, I will raise it up!” We know Jesus did not mean the destruction of the temple but of his own body being destroyed (sacrificed) by the authorities but raised to life by the Father.

“Lord, grant us the grace to know that we have to be truly present with the Trinity in worship.”