Good News B50a, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, John 2:13-22, Children's Liturgy Devotional, Children's Sermon, Children's Homily,Catholic, Christian, written by Joan Y. Edwards

Cycle B

Good News B50a

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Turning the Tables Over

In the Gospel story today, Jesus shows his anger. This is one of the times he showed that he was human. Another time when we clearly saw Jesus’ human side was when he cried because his friend, Lazarus had died.

Jesus considered the temple his Father’s house. People were selling animals there. People had no place to pray. They were making as much money as they could there. Jesus wanted them to think and pay attention to God the Father. . The pews were filled with cows, sheep, and doves for sale. Bankers came and set up a mini-bank right in the middle of the temple. This really ticked Jesus off. He blew his stack. First, he drove the animals out. Then he knocked over the money tables. After he did all this, they asked him what gave him the right to do that. He said because if you destroy this temple, I will rebuild it in three days.

What he told them was I have the right to do this because I am God. The reason I am doing this is because you are not respecting my Father, who is your God and creator. His house is a haven to pray and talk and do things that have to do with your soul. He thought the people should have been concerned with matters of their spirit instead of their pocketbooks.

How many times are we concerned over money, food, and objects over the things we need to have for eternal life? If we have a million dollars and a herd of cows and sheep and a flock of doves, but have lost our souls to evil deeds and evil ways, then we have nothing of value.

In life, we have to be concerned with both. We have to have money and goods to live during this life. If you find yourself more interested in money and things, then take a few minutes to talk with God. Ask him to show you the things you should be concerned over. God wants us to be more concerned with our eternal life. He wants us to visit him when we die and stay with him in heaven. But if all we notice in life is the money and things, then we will be stopped at the gate. We won’t have the pass to get in.

It intrigues me that they put electronic devices on cars and trucks at the airports and parking lots. With this device on your vehicle, you don’t even have to stop, get out and unlock the gate. The gate will open by itself automatically.

This is the way I see it: You get grace from being baptized and obeying the commandments, and being forgiven for your sins. When your soul has this security device called grace attached to it, then you will be able to go straight through those pearly gates into heaven. You won’t have to wait in line to be checked over by St. Peter.

Draw a picture of heaven. Heaven is where you will have everything you need to be happy. Of course, just being with God will be all you need to make you happy. But, to make heaven even more understandable and enticing for you, as a human being, draw pictures of everyone and everything you think will be in heaven.

When I get to heaven I want to sit on God’s lap in his big rocking chair in the sky. If you would like to do that too, God will create a huge rocking chair with room for you, too. If you are concerned about sitting at his left or right side like the disciples, I have a feeling he will let us take turns.

When I get to heaven, I will find all the lost keys and socks that have gotten away from me. Draw a picture of your soul with God’s love electronic device on it. It’s like a remote control to heaven. He has chosen to forgive you for your sins. He sent his only Son to earth. He died on the cross and rose from the dead so that your sins could be forgiven. God did this for you. What a glorious, wonderful, loving thing to do!

Say the “Our Father” and thank God for the forgiveness of sins. This cleans our souls so that we may enter heaven and live with God forever and ever. Jesus cleans out the temple in your soul every day. Thank you, God the Father and God, the Son for the gift of your forgiveness. May God help you share it with others by forgiving them, too.

“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.