INSTRUCTION ON PRAYER

Homily for November 20^th, 2020: Luke 19:45-48.

          “My house will be called a house of prayer,” we heard Jesus saying in the gospel reading. “But you have made it a den of thieves.” He took this second phrase from the prophet Ezekiel (7:11), who uses the uses the words to remind people that worship and prayer can never be a form of barter with God: ‘I’m giving you this, Lord, so you will give me that.’ God is generous with his gifts – far more generous than we are. But we cannot put God under obligation. He gives his gifts in sovereign freedom.

          Jesus gives this teaching in connection with his cleansing of the Temple at Jerusalem, for Jesus’ people the earthly dwelling place of God. Mark’s version of this incident says that Jesus “did not permit anyone to carry anything through the Temple area.” The Bible commentators concede that the meaning of this sentence is unclear. They suggest, however, that Jesus may have issued this prohibition to remind people that the Temple area was set apart for God, holy. They must not use it as a shortcut as they went about their daily errands. For us the words are a reminder that church buildings are holy. Our conduct in church must always reflect reverence for the God who dwells here, especially in his consecrated body in the tabernacle.

          “The entire populace was listening to him,” Luke tells us, “and hanging on his words.” What clearer statement could we have of the fascination that Jesus exercised over people who listened to his words? Jesus Christ still fascinates those who approach him with open minds, and open hearts. How better could we respond to this brief gospel reading than to pray: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”