March 25, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

Jesus entered the temple and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. (Mark 11:15)

According to Saint Augustine’s interpretation of the Cleansing of the Temple, those who sell sheep, oxen and doves are people who seek their own interests in the church rather than those of Jesus. And just as he Lord rebuked Peter when he was putting man’s interests before God’s, so He thwarts the pervasive evil in the Temple.

We should see this story in the light of God’s will for us to be restored back to His likeness. In order for that to happen, we need Jesus the Savior to cleanse us, the temple of God’s Spirit, of greed that comes from insecurity and ignorance that He is our Shepherd and therefore we shall not want. As we yield to Him doing this, may it purify our motive for taking part in His Church so that we don’t suppose it as a means of gain but do it for the love of God and neighbor. For if so, paradoxically it will be a means of great gain.