John 2:13-25 New American Bible

John 2:13-25 Bible Gateway New International Version

Moneychangers in the Temple

Jesus showed us he felt human emotions in today’s Gospel. He got angry. He was angry because people were selling oxen, sheep, and doves in the temple, his Father’s house. The sellers even had bankers there to give change if they needed it. Jesus was so angry he made a whip and drove the sheep and oxen out. He turned over the bankers’ tables. Then he told the person with the doves to take them out and stop making his Father’s house a marketplace. This made the sellers and the bankers upset, too. They wanted to know what gave him the right to throw their stuff out. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

They laughed thinking that it had taken 46 years to build their temple. They thought that Jesus couldn’t possibly rebuild it in three days. But Jesus was talking about his body as a temple of God. He knew that these people were going to destroy him, but that he would rise from the dead in three days. This was his way of telling these people that he had the right to tell them to take all the animals and money changing out of the temple because he was the Son of God.

Many people believed in Jesus because he had healed the blind, the lame, and the lepers. He had cast out demons. The healing he wanted everyone to remember was the forgiveness of sins that God the Father granted to all of mankind through his death and resurrection.

When Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had spoken these words.

Are you giving more power and attention to earthly things than that of Godly things? When you are in church, are you praying and talking with God or are you thinking about computer games? Are you thinking about a sports game you wish you were watching on television?

When you are in Church, praise God for all the things he has given you. Thank him for all the oxen, sheep, and doves. Thank him for your money. Thank him for your water, food, shelter, and clothing. Show God that you love him above all things, all places, and all people.

Tell God your problems. Ask him to help you. Remember that “What God brings you to, God will bring you through!” If you are having a hard time reading, ask God to give you the sight and recognition of words. If you are having trouble getting along with someone, ask God to show you how to make peace with them. Pray that all leaders of the world find a way to get along with each other.

Here are suggestions for ways you can say I love you to God this week

Monday: When you get up in the morning, say, “Good Morning, Lord. I want to walk with you today.”

Tuesday: Watch for beauty in animals and plants. Say, “Thank you for the beauty you put on earth for me to enjoy.”

Wednesday: Sing a favorite hymn, such as: “I say, ‘Yes, my Lord.’” or “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy down in My Heart.”

Thursday: Spend an hour listening to and talking with your mother, father, sister, brother, grandma or grandpa.

Friday: Write a note or draw a picture to show each person in your family that you love them. Set the table and place the notes on their plates.

Saturday: Write a letter to God or draw a picture for him showing all the reasons you love him. Put it in an envelope. On the outside of the envelope write “To: God in Heaven. From: One of Your Children, with your address.” Take it to church on Sunday. Ask the priest if he would put it on the altar during Mass or put it in the collection basket.

Sunday: Say a prayer for the people who sit in front of you in Church. Ask God to bless them in a special way today.

Say the “Our Father” to help you show God you love him by what you do and say every day.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.