John 2:13-25

Exodus 20:1-17 or Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

1 Corinthians 1:22-25

John 2:13-25

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,

Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, 

as well as the money changers seated there.

He made a whip out of cords

and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, 

and spilled the coins of the money changers

and overturned their tables, 

and to those who sold doves he said,

“Take these out of here, 

and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, 

Zeal for your house will consume me.

At this the Jews answered and said to him,

“What sign can you show us for doing this?”

Jesus answered and said to them, 

“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Jews said, 

“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, 

and you will raise it up in three days?”

But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, 

his disciples remembered that he had said this, 

and they came to believe the Scripture 

and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, 

many began to believe in his name 

when they saw the signs he was doing.

But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, 

and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.

He himself understood it well.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you teach your children the way that leads to communion and life with you. Guide me along that path, for to see you face to face is what I most desire. I only want to dwell in your house all the days of my life.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Ten Commandments and Salvation History: On this Third Sunday of Lent, we contemplate another important stage in the history of salvation. Two weeks ago, on the First Sunday of Lent, we read about Noah and the renewal and reestablishment of the covenant of creation. Last week, we heard how God made a covenant with Abraham and how God promised to bestow blessing upon the families of the earth through the descendants of Abraham. This week we learn about the commandments given in connection with another covenant, the covenant mediated by Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai. Through the Sinai Covenant, the people of Israel are welcomed into God’s family as his first-born son (Exodus 4:22). Israel is God’s first-born son, but one day the covenant blessing of divine sonship will be extended to all the nations and families of the earth. All people, and not just Israel, are called to become adopted children in God’s family. The Ten Commandments were given to direct how we are to live in God’s family: the first three commandments focus on our relationship with God; the next seven guide our relationship with our brothers and sisters. The Ten Commandments not only guide our relationships but can be seen as part of the spiritual path marked out by God that leads to eternal life with him. Jesus teaches us that the Ten Commandments of the Sinai Covenant are a starting point and a necessary first step, but that we are called to mature in spiritual perfection and holiness in the New Covenant.

2. The New Temple: The Gospel today gives us a sense of the Old Covenant being brought to fulfillment in the New. The Old Law was given to the people through Moses; the New Law and the gift of God’s grace were given to us through Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh (John 1:17). The Old Temple had become corrupt. In fact, in Jesus’ day, the part of the Temple that was called the court of the Gentiles was being used to change money and to sell animals to the pilgrims who came to worship. Jesus cleanses this part of the old Temple, built by human hands, and points forward to the mystery of the New Temple. In the old Temple, the people sacrificed many animals and many types of animals. These sacrifices were ineffective in taking away sin. In the New Temple, there is only one sacrifice in which we share. This is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our eternal high priest. This one sacrifice is able to take away our sins.

3. The Power and Wisdom of God: In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul proclaims Jesus as both the power of God and the wisdom of God. The Jewish people wanted signs and miracles that displayed God’s awesome power. The Greek gentiles wanted philosophical wisdom and sophistication. On the surface, the crucified Jesus doesn’t seem to satisfy either. Jesus looks powerless on the Cross and his teachings were given mainly in the form of parables accessible to the humble. And yet, Paul proclaims that even though Jesus appears weak, Jesus is the very power of God. His acceptance of death on the Cross destroys the ancient curse and brings about our salvation. Even though the crucified Jesus appears foolish in the eyes of the world, Jesus is the very wisdom of God. Through his words and actions, he reveals to us the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He reveals that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that we are called to share in the divine communion as adopted children.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the power of God and the wisdom of God. You are able to purify my soul and bring it to share in your divine life. You are able to teach me the path that leads to eternal life. Empower me with your grace today to do good works of charity and teach me with your wisdom to judge things rightly.

Living the Word of God: How am I living the Ten Commandments? What can I, empowered by God’s grace, do better? How am I living Jesus’ new commandment of love and charity?