Gospel John 2:13-25

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
“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.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said,
“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
many began to believe in his name
when they saw the signs he was doing.
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,
and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.

Reflection by Julia Turner

Julia Turner, Lasallian Volunteer alum, served at our San Miguel School in Providence, Rhode Island (2015-17), was a recent participant in DENA’s Young Lasallians’ VEGA program, and is currently an LV Scholar at La Salle University, Philadelphia.

When I think about what it means to be Lasallian one of the main things that has always stood out to me is the idea of Social Justice, and taking a stand for what you believe in – fighting the good fight, seeing injustice and doing something about it.  I think we as Lasallians hold ourselves to this standard that was originally set by Jesus, and I think the beginning of this reading is a beautiful depiction of just that.

In this passage Jesus is angry and rightfully so.  The religious leaders of this time have allowed the house of God to become tainted by allowing it to become a marketplace.  I think back on St. Paul who wrote, “Be angry. But do not sin.”  So I believe that there are times in our life when anger can be an appropriate response.  We have the right to be angry when we witness injustices in our world such as racism, sexual abuse, child trafficking, discrimination and so on.  St. Thomas Aquinas taught us that, “anger looks to the good of justice.”  Leading me to the conclusion that sometimes, anger can be an appropriate response to injustice, as long as it can be tamed by things such as kindness and clarity.  The injustices of this world are many and as Lasallians it is our calling to stand up when we see these injustices.  Anger is an acceptable response to injustice as long as we do not allow our souls to be overcome by it and never forget that our true calling is towards love and forgiveness.

In his meditation De La Salle writes, “It is in the company of Jesus that you work for the glory of God.”  When it comes to matters of social justice it is important to remember that we as Lasallians are not seeking recognition or praise for our good works; we are merely stewards of God, just as Jesus was.  We were placed on this earth to serve others and to teach the word of Christ.  We are nobodies trying to tell everybody about Somebody.  Like Jesus, God saw fit to bring us in so that he could send us out.

During this Lenten season I invite you to reflect on what God has sent you into the world to do.  Are you being a steward for the Lord? Are you giving of yourself and serving others in the way that De La Salle and Jesus taught us?  Take some time in your daily life to slow down and think about the injustices of this world and the actions that you can take to live your story for God’s glory.