Mark 11:15-19 (NRSV)
Read Mark 11:15-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; Verse 16and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. Verse 17He was teaching and saying, "Is it not written,
Devotion
In southern India Lent is observed with somberness and piety. Indian Christians gather as family or community to reflect on Christ’s suffering during Lent for 40 days. There are two motivations. One is a self-imposed discipline to mediate on the cross to ‘gain’ blessings. The other, more significant one is finding power and hope in the suffering of Christ. All the gospel writers mention that Jesus was furious against the commercialization of spirituality and religiosity. Jesus reminds us that the temple is a house of prayer for all the nations and unites us with God and our fellow neighbors. May this Lenten season and our reflections enlighten us and help us grow in a covenant relationship with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit so we may share the joys and struggles of our fellow neighbors.
Prayer
Merciful God, may our Lenten journey continue to open our eyes to know Christ more clearly and serve the world more passionately! Amen.