15 March – 3rd Sunday of Lent

Posted by Christine Nusse on Mar 14, 2009 | Categories: Seasons of the Spirit

Jn 2:13-25
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

And so Jesus was angry and acted out! Where is the turning-of-the-other-cheek? Jesus got in touch with his anger.. he kicked the ___ out of those poor slobs who were only trying to make a buck on the back of the pious and God-fearing people. Merchants and changers were sitting there on temple ground with the (paid) authorization of the priests. No money, no doves – No doves, no sacrifice and no prayer, no access to the Temple, no salvation.
This incident is reported about in the same way in the four Gospels. It must have had a mighty impact on the bewildered disciples.

Today I read Jenny’s comments in the sections ‘Shared Stories’ of this web site and I, too, am angry. I am angry seeing myself and all the good women kept away from the church and from God because of today’s priests and popes. As women we are second class citizens, as “active” lesbians we are sinners. We cannot go into the Temple! No salvation for us!

If I am to imitate Jesus how should I act out my anger? First of all I should not try to get read of it. I have been angry for so long it becomes old and tiring. It became so much easier to walk away. Jesus could have turn around and told his disciples: “Come on guys, the Temple is way too crowded. Those merchants and changers make me angry. No good for my inner peace! Let’s find calm and serenity in the olive grove outside the city. It will be a much better place to pray.” But that time, he did not. For the people who could not get in and for his Father whose house did not serve anymore the purpose it was intended for, he stepped out of bounds.

Stepping out of bounds is not what as women we have been raised to do. We do not feel untitled to do so. But as Christ’s disciples not only we have the right, we also the duty to do so.
There are many ways to fight back. I must find my own way and access the Temple.

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