Matthew 21:1-14

“Jesus went into the Temple, and drove out all the those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers, and seats of the pigeon dealers, and said to them: “It is written, “My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”  Matthew 21: 12-13

The temple, I’m not sure it’s only about what we consider the church, though it definitely does include that.  But I feel like the temple is more than a building.  I am someone that believes the whole world is our temple, our place of worship.  We can and should pray and worship everywhere.  Not in an ‘in your face’ loud, ‘look at me’ kind of way, but in a way of every day living  — noticing the beauty of all creation, loving our neighbors, caring about and acting to help continue God’s mission of love and nurture.  I believe this is the best form of worship and prayer.

I got off a little there, but I felt the need to explain what I mean about the temple being more than a building.  I think it’s a way of living.  And in that living, we need to be mindful.  Mindful of creation, nature, the planet.  Mindful of the people — all people, no matter the color of their skin, no matter their religion, no matter their social status or financial status.

What I mean is, to not take advantage of others, of our neighbors.

It means sharing what we have. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t make money, I’m saying we shouldn’t hoard it, we shouldn’t take advantage of people.  We need to be careful of greed.  Our egos can let greed take us over.

I think of all the scams out there right now. People actively trying to scam people out of their money, their homes.  I think of those in government, and big for profit companies and organizations whose greed is taking away people’s healthcare, their dignity, their life.  I feel like many (not all) BIG businesses are only out there to make as much money as possible, without regard to how that affects people.  

Worship of the almighty dollar, of the wealthy, can sneak up on us.  We need to be mindful of our way of living.  Are we acting as the moneychangers and pigeon dealers?  Are we more concerned with money, than with people.  Are we forgetting our reason for living?  To love and care for all God’s people and God’s creation?

There’s another passage that comes to mind right now, Matthew 6:30-35.  Jesus says for us not to worry about how we will eat or what we will wear.  He says that those are things for which the nations are seeking. We just need to do the work of bringing heaven here on earth — do justice, love our neighbors (all of them), care for the earth, — and we will receive all these things.

May we remember each other as we go through each day, spreading love, seeking justice, and caring for creation.

Until next time…♥️