Driving Out the Money Changers
March 15, 2009
Gospel: John 2:13-25
Looking back on his life, Mark Twain made this comment about his father: “When I was sixteen I thought my father was so ignorant that I could hardly stand to have the old man around. When I got to be twenty-one, I was surprised how much he had learned in five years.”
Most everyone here has experienced children or grandchildren going through that period in life we call the “terrible teens.” It is a time of rebellion – against parents and teachers, rules and laws - even against God. What we sometimes tend to forget – but Mark Twain acknowledged – is that we went through it too.
However, at some point in life, most of us come to realize the necessity of laws and rules, and we begin to see that most of them serve a purpose. We recognize that laws are necessary for our own safety and protection.
The Ten Commandments – the law that God handed down to Moses on Mt. Sinai – are meant to protect us from ourselves. The first three deal with our relationship to God – the rest with our relationship to one another.
God was emphatic when he gave Moses these commandments. “I am the Lord your God, you shall not have other Gods before me.” “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.” “Honor your father and mother.” You shall not kill - commit adultery – steal – or bear false witness. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house – or his wife – or anything to belongs to him” (I think it’s that last part about “coveting” that gets many of us in trouble.”)
The Ten Commandments are like highway signs that God has given us for our journey through life. We only make this journey once and following these signs will save us a great deal of misery and pain. They teach us what is necessary for living a full life – and they express God’s will for us. They provide us with a shortcut to wisdom – a wisdom we could never acquire by ourselves.
Throughout the ages many have regarded the Ten Commandments – if they considered them at all - more like the Ten Suggestions. This is why Jesus was so angry when he arrived at the Temple for Passover and found it filled with animals and moneychangers. Had these people forgotten the commandment about honoring God? They had brought animals into the temple area so they could sell them to people who wanted to offer a sacrifice. If you think that is not so bad remember that no one has ever been able to potty train an ox.
In John’s gospel, Jesus is not angered just because they are ripping people off - He is angered by their very presence. By doing business in God’s house, they are profaning it – they are making improper use of a holy place. They are violating the first commandment because they are worshipping the god of money instead of the One True God.
This gospel reminds me of the time we were in Jerusalem, walking the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa. There were vendors on both sides, selling everything from knick-knacks to religious articles and vestments. I remember that one shouted out to us, “Make the fifteenth station the t-shirt shop!”
Just this week Pat and I attended a very nice event at a religious facility in the diocese – that will remain nameless. There was good food and great entertainment. Towards the end of the evening, one of the entertainers was singing a medley of beautiful old Italian songs when someone came up to him and whispered in his ear that he had to make “a special announcement.” The special announcement was an auction! They interrupted the singer in the middle of his set so they could conduct an auction to raise money.
I was furious. The cause may have been worthwhile - but did it warrant such disrespect to the entertainer? When did fundraising take the place of old-fashioned good manners?
The mission of the Church is to impart God’s values to the world. We should never allow it to be tainted by the values of the world. “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
Unfortunately, most of us have been guilty of profaning the holy in our midst. One example is Christmas, which has become for many an orgy of spending that attempts to meet needs that cannot be satisfied with money. If you look around the stores, you will see that they are trying to do the same with Easter.
We have all sinned – we have all violated God’s commandments – but Jesus gives us hope. When he was asked to give a sign that would confirm his authority to drive out the moneychangers, Jesus responded by saying: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” He was referring, of course, to his death and resurrection.
It is the death and resurrection of Jesus that makes forgiveness possible. When we turn holy things into unholy things, Christ’s death and resurrection can lead us back to holy ground. When we profane things that should bless us, the cross and resurrection open the door to restoring the blessing. At one time or another, we have all been broken - but when we return to the basic truths that God gave us on Mt. Sinai - and when we bring our brokenness to Jesus – we are made whole again
Keep the Faith
March 8, 2009
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
According to CARA – which is a research center at Georgetown University – about 24% of the population of the United States identify themselves as Catholic. That figure has remained stable for a number of years, but the number of Catholics who attend mass on a regular basis has steadily declined. Only about 23% of American Catholics attend mass once a week and another 21% attend once a month. Just as disturbing are the 10% of the population (about 30 million people) who say they are ex-Catholics.
There are many reasons why people leave the Church - or do not make it an important part of their lives. Some may have lost faith in church leaders – others may have lost their faith in God. Many have just put their faith into a compartment – a mental and moral closet – where it no longer influences any of their life’s decisions.
Even people of faith sometimes put it into a closet. Sometimes it is just out of laziness. At other times - when beset with difficulties or disappointments – we may give up on God because we think that God has given up on us. On the other hand, in times of prosperity many of us like to think that all of the good things that happen to us are the result of our own efforts. We think that the God who made us – and gave each of us special gifts – has little to do with our success in life, so why concern ourselves with such a quaint notion as faith.
Our readings today are about faith – especially when God does things we cannot understand. Abraham must have been shocked when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. Yet, he set out to do as God asked because he trusted that God would keep his covenant and protect Isaac from harm.
The story of the Transfiguration is the story of three men who could not have understood what was happening – but who still had faith in the One they followed.
When Jesus took his three most trusted disciples - Peter, James and John – to the top of a high mountain, he was transfigured. We do not use that word – transfigured – much in everyday conversation. The word that is closest to the Greek word used in the gospel is “metamorphosis.” We use that word even less, but it means that something changes into something else. Think of a caterpillar that changes into a butterfly.
The Jesus that those three disciples saw on that mountain was not Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter’s son who had already performed many miracles that they did not understand. They saw the glorified figure of Jesus the Christ - the Son of God – standing in the presence of Moses and Elijah.
This event is so unbelievable that many have tried to explain it away. Some say that it is just a story that was made-up to emphasize the divinity or Jesus, or to show the link between the Old and New Testaments. Others say that if it occurred at all it must have been after the resurrection. However, there are good reasons to believe, as I do, that it really happened, as recounted in Mark - and in Matthew and Luke as well.
Throughout Mark’s gospel there are many times when Jesus performs a miracle and tells his disciples – and others – not to tell anyone about it. He is not ready to reveal who he really is. But, every time he says that they go out and blab it to everyone they meet. That is how his fame spread.
This time he tells them not to say anything – and they don’t! They are so dumbfounded by this experience that they are afraid if they tell anyone about it they will be locked away in a loony bin.
We know that Peter did not have a clue what was going on. Mark tells us that Jesus was having a nice chat with Moses and Elijah when Peter says “in reply,” “it is good that we are here.” To who or what is Peter replying? No one was speaking to him. And when he offers to build three tents so they can capture the moment, he is just babbling out of fear. Mark says, “He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified” – and that was before they heard the voice from heaven.
These three guys must have been petrified – and it would certainly have been understandable if, when they came down from that mountain, they ran for their lives. But, they did not run - they remained with Jesus.
They were sometimes weak – they would scatter when Jesus is arrested and Peter will deny him three times – but their underlying faith was strong. That faith would be tested by the crucifixion - but would be affirmed by the resurrection. They will come to appreciate that their presence on that mountain was a wonderful gift from God.
Even those of us who practice our faith regularly face times when that faith must be reinforced if it is to remain out of the closet. Lent is a good time to do that – through increased prayer and sacrifice. But, at all times - times of trial and times of prosperity - we must never lose faith. We must never lose sight of God’s love for us. We must never forget that everything we have is a gift from God – to be used for God’s glory and not our own.
Abraham discovered that even the worst thing imaginable could be turned around if you have faith.I think St. Paul put it best: “If God is for us, who can be against us.”
Consent Forms
March 6, 2009
The Kaamulan Performing Company will be embarking on a series of out-of-state shows this summer. The following downloads must be printed, accomplished, and submitted according to production requirements by all minors in the troupe.
Click each corresponding form to download:
All members who are of age must submit photocopies of their driver’s licenses, insurance policies, and a signed note from a parent or parents saying they have been informed of your inclusion in the Kaamulan travel plans.
Direct all detailed questions to your Titas, or your parents.
Thank you.
Believe the Good News
March 1, 2009
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15
On the first Sunday of Lent, we always hear the story of how Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. Last year we heard Matthew’s version; next year we will hear Luke’s. Today we hear Mark’s.
Mark’s gospel is the shortest and his description of events is sparse. For example, Matthew and Luke go into detail describing the three temptations and give us dialogue between Jesus and Satan. Mark gives us two sentences - Jesus went into the desert for 40 days, Satan tempted him and there were wild beasts and angels – but those two sentences are full of meaning.
Mark tells us that the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the desert - he really did not have much of a choice in the matter. Before he could go out into the world, he had to spend a considerable amount of time in the desert. He had to be tempted by Satan and live among wild beasts. Only after going through all that were angels sent to minister to him.
Lent is often described as a “desert experience,” but the fact is that we spend a good deal of our lives in the desert - and we do not have much choice in the matter either. We are confronted with temptations every day - and many of the challenges we face are like wild beasts seeking to devour us. Especially during uncertain times such as these, many are tempted to lose hope and give in to despair. Even when we are in the midst of people we love, we may sometimes feel abandoned and alone.
It is during these “desert times”, that we are more likely to seek and find the Kingdom of God. When things are going great, we may not seek God because we like to think that our success is due to our own efforts. But when we are forced into the desert – when things are not so great – God may be the only lifeline we have. This is when God sends his angels to minister to us.
An angel is one who is sent by God to deliver a message. He or she may be a friend, a relative or a complete stranger – very often it is a child – but God sends these angels to remind us that we are never alone – even when we are in the desert - and that God’s love for us is unconditional.
We are also called to be angels for others - and we may not even realize it. Have you ever said or done something for another person and not realize why? All you know is that the gentle word or act of kindness that you delivered was the just what that person needed to know that God still cares for them. For that moment, God chose you to be an angel – a messenger of God’s love. Unfortunately, we are not angels all the time – and that’s how we know that God has a marvelous sense of humor.
When he came out of the desert into Galilee Jesus began his public ministry with a simple message: “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.” He is telling us that we need not wait until we die and go to heaven to experience the Kingdom of God. It is available to us here and now if we will only repent and believe in the gospel.
Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins and the fact that it makes a mess out of our lives. True repentance is a rejection of sin itself – and requires that we take the next step and believe in the gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Believe in the good news of truth. We do not have to guess what God is like because God has walked among us.
Believe in the good news of hope. Although evil still exists in the world, Jesus gives us hope that evil can and will be defeated. No matter how bad things may seem, Jesus gives us hope that there is nothing in this world that can hurt us.
Believe in the good news of immortality. Life is not just the road to death – it is the pathway to eternal life.
Believe in the good news of salvation - the power to live life with the certain knowledge that, like Jesus, we can be victorious over sin and death.
There is a simple rule to follow when dealing with earthly things - if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. That rule is especially appropriate when someone is offering an investment with an unbelievable return.
But that rule does not apply when it comes to God. When it comes to the Good News that Jesus brings, what sounds too good to be true – is really true. All that Jesus promises is ours – if we will only repent and believe in the gospel – even when we are in the middle of the desert. It is in the desert that we most often find the Kingdom of God.