Yesterday, I was privileged to hear an inspiring homily on the Gospel of John 2: 13-25 where Jesus drives the moneychangers and merchants out of the temple declaring:
"Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.
Our priest keyed in on two parts of these lines. First, Jesus calls the temple "my Father's house," a very intimate description for a building. Also, the zeal Jesus demonstrates in protecting the house is consuming. I hope you can follow me, because I certainly cannot explain this as eloquently as Father did.
We are told elsewhere in Scripture (1 Cor. 6:19) that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, thus houses of God. When we eat His body and drink His blood, He comes to dwell in us. And, Jesus is consumed with protecting us when we embrace Him within. Yes, He delights in coming to us in the Eucharist and will never fail to defend our honor when we accept this gift.
I am humbled reflecting on this Truth. Father mentioned that God does not turn up his nose at the filth in our souls. He does not reluctantly take up residence when we invite Him. He delights in our invitation and our acceptance whenever and however we choose to welcome Him.
My Lent has been full of ups and downs here, mostly small things but things that nevertheless can chip away at my focus in this holy season. I have been consciously striving to remember Christ is among us. To realize that truly He resides within us and is overjoyed when we acknowledge Him despite our inadequacies, knocks my socks off!
Not only was it Christ's delight to walk among men on this Earth, but also it is His delight to daily enter the temples that are our bodies and defend our quest for holiness with zeal. Amidst so many distractions and temptations, it is so motivating for me to imagine Christ's delight every time I recall His presence.
I pray, dear friends, that your Lenten journey is continuing with perseverance and that you, too, may find joy in such remarkable love!
Blessings,
