Old Temple, New Body
Prayer
Contemporary Lectionary Prayers
Cycle B
Gospel Note:
John's version of the cleansing of the temple is distinctive
in many details, but most especially in its theological
perspective. Here the cleansing is most clearly (1) a critique of
the old temple and its cultic practice (specifically sacrifice),
(2) a reference to the temple's destruction, and (3) a suggestion
of a new temple, none other than the body of Christ (i.e., the
church). We are dealing here, then, with an old dispensation's
passing and the dawning of the new.
Liturgical Color:
Purple
Suggested Hymns:
O God Of Earth And Altar
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory
Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways
Sing Praise To God, The Highest Good
Your Word, O Lord, Is Gentle
Lent 3
Thank you, Lord, for allowing us
to see Jesus become angry.
He witnessed the abuses in the temple courtyard.
He knew that people were being
taken advantage of in your name.
He lashed out at the abusers and drove them
out of the temple!
We become angry too, Lord.
Sometimes, we become angry over petty details
which amount to nothing.
We simply want our own way. We want to win.
We compromise your call to love one another
and we hurt people.
Forgive us, Lord.
There are times when we need to become angry!
When we see injustice, inhumanity, insensitivity
and exploitation, help us to become angry enough
to do something about these terrible wrongs.
Encourage us, Lord, to channel our anger into
productive activity.
Use us to help make the world a better place.
Amen.
John's version of the cleansing of the temple is distinctive
in many details, but most especially in its theological
perspective. Here the cleansing is most clearly (1) a critique of
the old temple and its cultic practice (specifically sacrifice),
(2) a reference to the temple's destruction, and (3) a suggestion
of a new temple, none other than the body of Christ (i.e., the
church). We are dealing here, then, with an old dispensation's
passing and the dawning of the new.
Liturgical Color:
Purple
Suggested Hymns:
O God Of Earth And Altar
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory
Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways
Sing Praise To God, The Highest Good
Your Word, O Lord, Is Gentle
Lent 3
Thank you, Lord, for allowing us
to see Jesus become angry.
He witnessed the abuses in the temple courtyard.
He knew that people were being
taken advantage of in your name.
He lashed out at the abusers and drove them
out of the temple!
We become angry too, Lord.
Sometimes, we become angry over petty details
which amount to nothing.
We simply want our own way. We want to win.
We compromise your call to love one another
and we hurt people.
Forgive us, Lord.
There are times when we need to become angry!
When we see injustice, inhumanity, insensitivity
and exploitation, help us to become angry enough
to do something about these terrible wrongs.
Encourage us, Lord, to channel our anger into
productive activity.
Use us to help make the world a better place.
Amen.
