BURNING WITH ZEAL
The Jewish people were required to come to the Jerusalem Temple on all important feasts like the Passover, Pentecost and others. Initially meant as a centre of religious pilgrimage for the purpose of worship, the Temple was gradually turned into a place of commerce as well. Sacrifices were to be offered and so sheep and pigeons were sold, and to facilitate the purchase of these animals and birds money changers also appeared. It was an accepted practice and nobody could do anything to change it. But Jesus could not tolerate it and we saw him cleansing the Temple and making it again a place of worship for which it had been built. The prophet-like-action of Jesus was resisted by the authorities but Jesus did fulfil his mission for which he has been sent – he brought reform to the Israelite society. In the First Reading we have the Ten Commandments. The first commandment describes who God is and how His Name should be held holy. In the Second Reading Paul tells the Corinthians that Christ is the power and wisdom of God.
Liturgical materials for the Third Sunday of Lent.
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