+ Perhaps we can take this gospel passage as a reminder to keep our own souls pure and clean of what is worldly and contradictory to the purpose for which it is made. When we ruminate over earthly treasures and trinkets and powerful positions in the inner recesses of our souls we are contaminating the sacred space that, like them temple in Jerusalem, is the dwelling place of God within us, that is meant to be used for giving God glory, praise, thanks and honor at every moment of the day!
After physically making his statement of objection by throwing the money changers out of the temple, Jesus states clearly that the dwelling place of God – wherever it might be – is a sacred, holy, house of prayer and communion with God and is not to be desecrated by business practices no matter how well intentioned!
Our first reading today, of course, speaks of the joy and excitement of the celebration led by Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers in purifying and rededicating the sanctuary of the temple in Jerusalem after it had been profaned by the enemies of God. May today be a day when, by this Eucharistic celebration, we purify and rededicate the sacred temple of our souls for right and proper worship and communion with God – who deserves our entire attention always and at every moment. May we protect and defend this sacred space and keep the business of the world out of it; and may we invite the Spirit of God and the Holy Angels and Saints and God himself into it – and we will be filled with a joy the knows no bounds – and we will proclaim that joy in all we think, say and do!
Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor are from you – and for you!
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