on the "outs"
Jesus "entered the temple and began ejecting the traders." —Luke 19:45
When Jesus comes into our temples, cities, or lives, something or somebody is going to be thrown out. We either let Jesus drive out our sins of pride, jealousy, unforgiveness, etc., or we drive out Jesus. Jesus cleanses our temples, or we expel the One Who wants to cleanse our temples. We either deny ourselves (Lk 9:23) or deny Jesus.
Therefore, let Jesus cleanse your temple. Decide to:
- repent,
- forgive,
- apologize,
- be healed,
- learn and live God's cleansing, purifying word (Jn 15:3; Eph 5:26),
- go to Confession at least monthly, and
- pray the Mass daily or as often as possible.
In summary, we let Jesus cleanse our temples when we are baptized and live our Baptisms. If, however, we refuse to live our Baptisms, we will eventually have no room for Jesus (see Lk 2:7), and we will in effect expel Him from our lives. Then our last condition will be worse than our first (2 Pt 2:20; Lk 11:26). Finally, if we throw Jesus out and refuse to change, we throw ourselves into hell. Let Jesus cleanse your temple.
Prayer: Father, make me "holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27).
Promise: "Indeed the entire populace was listening to Him and hanging on His words." —Lk 19:48
Praise: St. Columban was exiled from his country for courageously condemning the king's lifestyle of sexual misconduct.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, May 8, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 18, 2001