March 2009, August 8, 2009, Sept 13,09

 

         Jesus found nothing acceptable or understandable about the lack of respect or reverence for his Father’s house of worship. The temple was the dwelling place of the Lord. It was the place where you went to worship and praise God. Jesus was extremely upset about the business going on within the temple. The place in which people were meant to worship had become a market. The system was corrupt and unjust causing great hardship for most of the people. If your lamb was not quite good enough, fortunately there was someone right there in the temple that could sell you one that would be acceptable for a sacrifice. Money changers would also be right there, who for a small profit would take off your hands coins that were forbidden in the temple and give you coins that were acceptable. Possibly the money changers were doing what they thought they were suppose to - providing a service. Jesus certainly turned their world upside down. The temple was not helping people get closer to God but became an obstacle in their path.

 

It is not unlike what we are going through today with our economic crises and increased unemployment rates. I think that we all have felt its impact some way or another. Some suffering for worse than others. We’ve heard of many foreclosed homes and corporations that have closed their doors. What impact will this have on the next generation and the next? Do the decisions we make affect others?

 

Busy – ness had intruded our lives because of the many opportunities we have had and continue to have. Chronic stress accompanies busy-ness and “time” has become a great luxury. I know I say often “there are not enough hours in the day” or “There is just never enough time.” I have reminder notes in my kitchen, in my car, at work, I have 3 calendars so that I won’t forget something - which I usually do because the busy-ness is too overwhelming.

 

I have noticed I also have been influences by the idea of getting, spending and doing. Activities have consumed our lives - not allowing for a lot of free time.

 

Have we become slaves to what we desire, not what we need? Has materialism and greed created an obstacle in our path?

 

I have been very fortunate to have met and spent time with a woman who came from nothing but always says she has everything. She is a single mom of 3 (one of the children has a severe, debilitating disease) and lives on a tight budget. They didn’t have the opportunity to have desire – that wasn’t an option so she wasted no time on it. She says she got what she needed and that was the love of her children and the powerful, fulfilling love of God. That was all that mattered – though they had many struggles – they were happy and content. The ten commandments begin with a reminder that God leads us from which enslaves us. God says, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, you shall have no other gods before me.”

 

The ten commandments can free us from the confinement of excessive busy-ness, too much wanting everything and more obsession with our cravings and desires. God’s commandments define what our boundaries should be and help us set our priorities by God’s standards. They are our guide for daily living. We need to put god first and put nothing in God’s place.

 

If we had been given everything that we desire, how would we learn to appreciate? If we had never suffered, how would we learn to be humble?

 

Through the sacrifice and suffering of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to start fresh every day and by using the commandments as our guide, we can set out and spread God’s love, we can be free from our bondage and that will influence the next generation and the next.

 

Please pray with me:

 

Dear heavenly Father, please help me to open my mouth to speak your word, open our ears to hear your word and embolden our lives to live your word. Amen.