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My house is a house of prayer, don't make it a den of thieves. Luke, 7:45-48

Jesus was angry when the synagogue was turned into a trading place.


People who like high cholesterol foods will result in themselves having excess cholesterol.  A person who likes to eat and drink sweet, is likely to get sick with diabetes.  People who like to eat red meat or who have high blood content, it is almost certain that he will get high blood pressure.  In other words, what we eat can tell us who we are.


 Jesus reminds us that the temple is a house of prayer.  In a new perspective, Saint Paul says that our body is the temple of God.  The temple of God is the house of God.  And if God's house is a house of prayer, then our body is also a house of prayer.


Jesus reminded that each of us is actually a house of prayer.  If our bodies are filled with the elements of robbers, it is certain that the house of prayer will turn into a house of thieves.  What was supposed to be a place of sanctification but instead the house of prayer became a place of robbery.  Thus, it can be understood that what comes out of us is not a sanctifying element but an element of sin.


Basically our body is where God is present.  We are the temple of the living God.  What kind of temple our God wants to be, completely depends on what goes into us.  If good habits enter the body then what comes out of our body is good too.  If goodness and holiness are what is in each of us, our lives and work will bring more goodness and blessings to everyone.


 Remember these words of Jesus and let us always honor the house of God and the Altar.  Our reverence is an indication of the faith and love we have for God.


The Lord Jesus cleanses the temple” describes how Jesus was very angry with the merchants and money changers in the court of the temple.  He overturned the tables of merchants including scattering the money of the changers and making whips to drive the merchants away.


 The source of the problem behind buying and selling animals and exchanging money is the practice of collusion and injustice as well as abuse of authority for self or group interests.  Small people who will worship and offer sacrifices in the temple of God are forced to buy sacrificial materials and animal sacrifices at a much higher price.  They also have to exchange their money for money that is considered legitimate, at a much more expensive and stifling price.


This situation is what Jesus judged as a "den of robbers" or a breeding ground for evil.  This is also where Jesus actually wants to purify the HUMAN HEART which is full of SELF-INTEREST AND GREED.


 For the sake of the oppressed and disadvantaged small community, God is willing to do anything and is ready to deal with anyone.


He warned the crowds, "Don't turn my Father's house into a place to sell."  It is true that it is written, “The love of your house will consume me” (Psalm 69:10).


Similar things, now also often occur in our places of worship, for example the sound of cellphones during Eucharist celebrations, texting during worship or the Eucharist, dressing inappropriately, chatting or making noise that disturbs the solemnity, even gossiping happily in church,  etc.  Therefore, this action of Jesus may also awaken us all.  We are invited to truly create and maintain a holy place of worship so that everyone who comes can truly experience an encounter with God, praise and glorify His name and experience His love to be distributed to others.


We are the temple of God, the abode of the Holy Spirit where we unite with the Most Holy Triune God when we are sanctified by baptism.  Is our life still clean now, not like the market?


Regardless of whether we are beautiful or not, handsome or not, black or white, skinny or fat, WE ALL ARE ALL THE HOLY TEMPLE OF GOD.  We all have an obligation to be the temple of God, the new temple of God.  We are a Church that must always be cleansed and rebuilt, so that we live in an intimate relationship with God.


Lent is a time of repentance and a time to purify the heart through various spiritual practices.  Obedience and a good relationship with God, must be reflected in our relationship to others.  

May our hearts truly BECOME HOLY AND NOT DETERMINED BY VARIOUS KINDS OF SELF-INTEREST AND PERSONAL AMBITIONS.  Controlling the heart is a wise choice of attitude that must be fought for constantly.

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