***
Gospel: Luke 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
Jesus “drove out” the money changers from the temple.
This verb “to drive out” – ekballo – is the same verb used to describe the exorcism, or driving out, of demons.
Thus, the money changers were like unclean spirits, who needed to be “driven out” of the temple.
***
Notice the symbolism here: both good and evil were at work in the house of God.
There were devout Jews entering to pray. And there were money changers seeking to make a profit off of other people’s faith.
***
Unfortunately, that’s true everywhere in the world – good and evil intermingle in governments, workplaces, homes, and houses of worship.
As one Russian novelist put it, “If only it were so easy. But the dividing line between good and evil cuts through every human heart. And who wants to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
***
As we begin preparing for Advent – the coming of the Lord into our world – perhaps we should consider those areas in our own lives where we need Jesus to drive something out of us.
Whether it’s a particular habit, a temptation, or a sin of any kind, may the Lord drive out whatever weakens our faith, distancing us from him.
***
***
Image credits: (1) Christ Cleansing the Temple, Bernardino Mei (2) Angelus News (3) Pinterest