I have always enjoyed the Johannine stamp on this account of Jesus cleansing the temple vs. the Synoptic Gospels as I can see Jesus with his whip of cords unleashing fury! Think about it, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1) – Jesus has “had a minute” to see humanity in action, so he seized the opportunity to get his house in order. 

The question becomes what are the current marketplaces we see that should cause us to unleash fury? When will our passion burn like a fire shut up in our bones and prompt us to faith in action? Is it when we see economic and healthcare disparities in communities of color? Is it when we see an insurrection in our nation’s capital and attempts by those persons who grant false equivalence of cancel culture vs consequences? Is it when our LBGTQ+ brothers and sisters are left out of places of worship and leadership in our ecclesial doctrines? As we continue this season’s Lenten journey to Calvary, maybe it’s time to destroy some of the existing temples that include idolatry and begin the resurrection of something that is congruent with the vision of Jesus Christ?  

Zeal, passion, fire, spunk, animated – all characteristics of Jesus that we should value and be willing to exhibit in our various callings. Afterall, who wants to be a lukewarm or cold Christian, amen somebody? We can and should embrace the juxtaposition of the passionate and peaceful Jesus Christ in our faith journey! “Call to Action” – Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy   

-----written by Tracey Kenney