Temple Tantrum
Thanks to Sr. Rosemarie Greco, DW for sharing this Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. It is adapted from the original, prepared for the Milton Congregational Church in Litchfield, CT.
Exodus 20:1-17 | John 2:13-25
On this third Sunday of Lent, the Scriptures for the Christian Churches remind us of our journey to the Cross and Resurrection. It also highlights our covenant relationship with God along that way. The first reading from the Book of Exodus enumerates “Ten Commandments.”
These Ten Commandments are given as directions, guidelines, or instructions for living in right relationship with God and the human and natural communities around us. The people of Israel spoke of laws as “instructions to refresh the soul; give wisdom to the simple and rejoices our hearts.” These words prayed in Psalm 19 do not make the Ten Commandments sound like painful rules to be followed. They are guidelines for the adult community even though we know that the Fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother,” is often placed on children to demand their obedience to parents!
For us adults, these commandments are the minimal actions for good human relationships for a healthy, respectful society. Today, we can easily see the implications and consequences when these basic laws are not observed.
These commandments also influenced what happened in the Temple of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. In particular, the command that “you shall not steal” was a significant violation. The Temple was intended to be the meeting place of the people with God. The devout Jews worshipped there and offered the customary sacrifice to God in the Temple.
Sometimes, we may think that it was wrong for the Temple to be a marketplace place, but, in actuality, a section of the Temple was intended to be a place to exchange foreign coins and purchase the appropriate animal for sacrifice. This was done in one of the temple precincts, not the sanctuary itself. Over time, this “service” for the people became a transaction where people, especially the poor, were being cheated. In addition, the Temple became totally aligned with the King, who also profited from the Temple’s financial activity.
On a day close to the Passover, Jesus walked into the Temple and witnessed its disarray and turmoil. He is overcome and reacts by making a whip, turning over the money tables, and driving the money changers from the Temple. He also frees the animals waiting to be sold. If we understand a tantrum as an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, we have to say that Jesus exhibited this intense and somewhat violent action. His tantrum was not toward people but toward their actions. I imagine a whip flying and shouts filling the place. We know how a crowd disperses when violent actions erupt. Who would want to stay in that place?
What moved Jesus to act in this way? It seems so out of character with the other side of Jesus we see in different passages. When faced with a dilemma, we sometimes hear people say, “What would Jesus do”? We rarely would say he would be angry, make a whip, and clear out the marketplace of the Temple. We are accustomed to the peaceful and compassionate responses of Jesus to most situations. Yet, it is important to consider why he acted in such a way.
The disciples recognized that Jesus was consumed by zeal for his Father’s house. This zeal gave him the energy to restore its purpose and meaning. It was a house of prayer for all people, with special care for those who were poor. But for some, it had become a den of thieves and a place where dishonesty was tolerated.
Many spiritual traditions warn us about becoming angry. Anger can cause harm to ourselves and others. But here, in the Temple, Jesus shows anger about injustice toward people and the way people are being abused. A theologian, Rev. Dr. Barbara Holmes puts it this way: “Jesus’ anger is a righteous indignation and is appropriate, healthy and necessary.” (1)
I believe Jesus was pained by what he saw in the Temple. I believe, too, that we experience pain when we see injustices and degradation placed upon others. Should we exhibit a “temple tantrum” to bring injustice to light and give our energy to realizing the common good?
Theologian Sara Jolena Wolcott (2) says we need to value anger – especially when it is joined to love. She refers to anger as a fire that is necessary for life. It is important to feel the heat from fire, but it can also burn out of control. What good can fire and anger bring about?
For one thing, they can inform us about our values and cares, especially if we become indifferent to suffering and injustice.
Many mystics remind us that love, too, can be an all-consuming fire. The disciples of Jesus recalled the words of Psalm 69 during this turmoil in the Temple. “Zeal for your house consumes me .” They witnessed this in Jesus that day.
Today’s Gospel, with Jesus overthrowing the money changer’s tables, seems to tell us that such actions are acceptable because they are done with righteous anger at an injustice that harms those who are poor and vulnerable. His love was greater than anger, and his love was all-consuming.
In this scripture, Jesus also draws our attention to himself as the Temple of God. The Body of Christ is the incarnation and dwelling place of God. But God’s dwelling place doesn’t stop there. We were taught that God is everywhere, and we believe that. We are called to embrace and revere the presence of God in the Temples of all people who live in and wander the Earth. We are called to see God in the Temple of all creation and the vast universe beyond our earthly border. Can zeal for these houses consume us? What would that kind of zeal look like? What kind of world would that look like?
On the night before he died, Jesus was concerned about the future. He made it easy for his disciples and followers. He didn’t leave them ten commandments to follow. He left just one - a new one. Love one another. That was the new commandment, the only one for them and us.
Sr. Rosemarie Greco, DW
March 3, 2024
Resources:
Center for Contemplation in Action / Meditations@cac.org / June 16, 2023. “The Prophetic Path.” Dr. Barbara Holmes. Youtube.
Center for Contemplation in Action / Meditations@cac.org / Feb/ 28, 2024. “When Anger Meets Love.”