Zeal for God’s House

Guest writer, Chris Gautsch ’11, Keough Hall, Theology and Music

The familiar story from John’s Gospel of Jesus driving out the money-changers and vendors (Jn 2:13-22) is an example of something that we don’t often see in Our Lord: anger, intense emotion. But it was not the anger we might feel when someone cuts us off on the freeway, or when family members or friends annoy us, or when the person in front of us in line takes the last chocolate doughnut and we really wanted that chocolate doughnut. No, it is anger over an injustice done to another – in this case, to God Himself and to worshippers. The Temple was a place where God’s presence dwelt, and as such, a place that deserved to be treated with respect.

Jesus’ reaction, though it seems a little bit uncharacteristic, is indeed the proper reaction, for the money-changers and vendors had, by their presence and their actions, hindered the ability of others to worship in the place where worship of God was most fitting – in His presence. God is, of course, present in our churches today as well, in the tabernacle. Shouldn’t we treat Him and His dwelling-place with proper respect?

A good friend of mine who is currently studying abroad was recently praying as she visited one of the many beautiful churches in Paris, and asked the Lord if He preferred living in some churches over others, if He had a favorite place to dwell, and His answer was immediate and clear: “you.” It is so easy to forget that God, in addition to dwelling physically in the tabernacle in the form of the Eucharist, also dwells spiritually in us. Our hearts are temples for the Holy Spirit. Let us drive out the money-changers and vendors in our hearts, those things which hinder our proper worship of God.

The Apostles, upon seeing Christ’s reaction, “recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me” (Jn 2:17). What exactly does this mean? My first thought was that “zeal” refers to the passion and anger Christ felt in that moment. But upon further reflection, it occurred to me that maybe “zeal” actually refers to the love and the profound respect (a respect so deep that it became passionate) Jesus had for God’s dwelling-place. His zeal was not the reaction; rather, it prompted the reaction.

So, let us pray today for that zeal for God, the ability to love Him above everything else. Let us pray for the courage to stand up, to speak out, and to work against injustices. Let us pray today, on this feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, that we might foster by our own actions a greater respect for the places where God dwells, both physically in the tabernacle and spiritually in our hearts. Let us pray for a greater love for Our Lord, that we might grow closer to Him every day.