It is to US that Jesus Entrusts Himself
Today we have by far the most famous story of Jesus’ anger, yet none of the gospel writers mention the word anger in it. They said rather that Jesus was “consumed with zeal.” Zeal sometimes wears the face of persistence. This is akin to four-year Jude who, when his mother asked him what he wanted for breakfast, replied: “Soup.” His mother explained: “Son, you know that we don’t eat soup for breakfast. We eat soup for lunch. So, what would you like for breakfast?” “Lunch,” he replied. Now that is certainly enthusiasm in pursuit of an idea!
The author of the book “Angry Like Jesus” (2015) writes “When I began to study Jesus’ anger, I was struck by the observation that every time Scripture says Jesus was angry, he’s the only one who was. Conversely, every time others were angry, Jesus was not.” Notice in today’s story that no one except Jesus was “consumed with zeal” when money changers overtook the temple.
What can we learn from this? First, we have to understand that anger is an automatic response which tells us to take care of ourselves. If we stuff our anger, and blow up later at someone who has no clue what set us off, who’d want to be friends with us? I could find nowhere in Scripture or the Rule of Benedict where anyone says: “Don’t get angry.” One of Benedict’s Tools of Good Works tells us: “Do not act in anger” and in the Prologue he cautions: “Keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; let peace be your quest and aim.” Chapter 4 has this admonition which covers a multitude of situations: “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way.”
To understand Jesus’ anger that day, we need to get a handle on how important motivation is. It was not wrong for the merchandisers to sell animals and doves. Nor was it wrong to change money. That was helpful to the people who came unprepared to the temple.
Notice that no one stopped Jesus when he used his whip of cords. Notice, too, the Gospel writer did not say Jesus did bodily harm to anyone. He overturned tables, He spilled money and swung the whip of cords so all in his path scattered.
Then, like a child who has witnessed the fury of a disappointed parent l look up calmly and ask: “So, Mom, are we still going to McDonald’s?” The Jews overlooked Jesus angry display and asked: “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus, probably shaking his head in amazement, answered: “If you destroy this temple, which took 46 years to build, I will raise it up in three days.” They’d remember this later when Jesus was raised from the dead. They didn’t ask why Jesus cleansed the temple because they knew they were guilty of wrongdoing.
The Gospel tells us while Jesus was in Jerusalem for this Passover many began to believe in his name. But still he did not trust Himself to them. It is to us that He entrusts Himself, in Sacrament and Word. Individually and as a faith community, we are the sanctuary where Jesus has chosen to reside. When He enters the temple each day, will he find it oriented to the purpose for which God has created you and me? Or will he find cause to do some cleansing and cleaning? We pray: Jesus, cleanse us as your temple and restore us, and keep us true to the purpose for which you created us.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
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