Devotion for the Third Week of Lent

I would like to share with you this devotion that my friend, Rev. Marty Shanahan wrote on this week’s Gospel, John 2:13-35.

This story, "The Cleansing of the Temple", is one of the few that are shared between all four Gospel writers. The fact that it is a story shared by all four gospels, may tweak our interest in its importance, and the questions arise, is it a historical event in the life of Jesus with historical
significance or is it a historical event with metaphorical significance? There is much to ponder with regard to this story, and we could journey on many paths using it as the spring board of reflection. What I offer is but one level of understanding of one path which might flow from this wonderful story.

I wonder if by analogy and if maybe by direct correlation, if our very lives are the Temple that Jesus wishes to cleanse. Repeatedly, throughout the Christian tradition we are reminded that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and if that is so I wonder if our tradition isn't inviting us to
reflect on the 'clutter' of our Temples?

I wonder if we may have allowed our Temples to become crowed with money changers, with sheep and oxen, and doves.....all of which are good in themselves, but I wonder if Jesus isn't inviting us to make sure they are in their proper place in our lives? If the season of Lent is a time of "metanoia", a fundamental change of heart and mind; I wonder if these readings might be inviting us to ponder what we may have allowed to encroach on the Sacred Space which we all need in our lives? Given the present economic situation, I wonder if we haven't often allowed our income, or lack there of, to define our success? I wonder if our prejudices regarding homelessness, poverty, lack of health care, etc, might be being challenged and tested against what we profess as people of faith.
If we visit the Temple of our lives, if we take a snap shot of it today, what do we see?
How crowded is it and what is it that we see as essential?
What may need to be cleansed and re-ordered in us so that our holiness can be more clearly seen?