Walking with Jesus: Third Sunday of Lent B

For Sunday, March 3, 2024

Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 2:13-25

We probably have never thought about this: How many crosses and crucifixes do you have in your house, including those you carry with you? Go on a search party. Close to five, maybe? you might think initially. But have you included the crosses/crucifixes on your rosaries … the ones in pictures … those in your jewelry collections … those heirlooms that have been handed down for generations? I would imagine all of us would come up with a much larger final count.

Looking at Jesus hanging on the cross, how often do we know that is where we find God’s power and wisdom? It is God’s plan for all eternity, and we read this from the first pages of Genesis: God created the universe, all creation and humanity out of His total, unconditional love. He promised eternal life with Him forever if we believe, have faith, trust in Him and live love. This is God’s plan. Have we looked at the cross and crucifixes through that lens? Why not? Throughout the gospels, Jesus constantly is referring to God’s unconditional, total, giving love.

We reflect: Oh, how much He suffered; how cruel were the soldiers and Jewish leaders. Why did that happen? Why is the cruelty, violence and killing continuing today, all over our world? Are we missing why God created us? How He said that we are the stewards of His creation to lead all people closer to Him and to our eternal home? The only path is LOVE.

As we continue our Lenten journey, today’s first reading from Exodus records the commandments given directly by God to Moses. Why? God's people were to live these commands which were given as a part of the covenant relationship with God: “I will be your God … you will be My people.” Where is this found? Exodus 6:7ff, Ezekiel 37:27, Jeremiah 30:22 and 31:31-34, Ruth 1:16-17, and Hebrews 8:10. “I am the Lord your God” actually appears more than 150 times in the Scriptures, so clearly it is definite that God is trying to tell us something. How about this for starters: He wants to be in our lives; He created us individually out of love to show each of us how special we are to Him. Everyone is loved, important, and precious no matter what has happened in their lives — horrible or tragic or beautiful or special. God’s love is constant and complete and that is why Heaven awaits.

This brings us to Paul’s powerful message responding to inane questions: Why doesn’t God come down and change everyone to love? Why can’t people just be people of love? Will there ever be a time of peace, happiness and love? Paul responds to the illusion that the Jews expect and demand signs that will show God’s intervention. They want sovereignty over gentiles by another display of God’s power (which continues today). Greeks search for wisdom or a philosophy that will provide a satisfactory explanation of human life and the whole cosmos. Thus no snares in human existence and philosophy will make them unaffected by human trials. We ask: Why does this happen to poor old me? Where’s God?

God answers: The cross of Christ. The human cross of Jesus is all of God’s power and wisdom. This is and has been God’s plan of salvation. God has no intention for His power to destroy us; He does not change the world by magic to make the world fair and just. IF He did, we would not be free and human. He does not force us to follow His commandment laws. He does not make us robots. He saves us by the Cross, the ultimate proof of His love. He tells us beneath the surface today that the answer is for us to take up our crosses ... and then we can identify with God’s love. This cross will always be a mystery for us. But it is God’s real answer … His plan … Jesus has shown us the way. We are called to do the same. In several movies a forgotten figure asks a kind person, Are you Jesus? Lent is a time to help you and me to Be Jesus this Day! Are you willing? What do you have to give up? Is it worth it? Jesus says, I love you … I’ll show you the way … let me love you and help you. OK?

So I reflect on:

• Sadly, today’s world has captives driven from their homes to escape fear, persecution and being treated as non-people. Their dignity is washed away. Can I pray … can I help? Each of them is loved right at these moments. They need my help. Right?
• Where is God beckoning me to begin this journey to hope in “remodeling” in my home?

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“The Gospel of John is attentive to the Jewish festivals and their place in the lives of the people. What Jesus observed was at variance with what He believed about His Father’s house. May we, who live in the marketplace that has become a temple for many, have the courage and zeal to stand for the truth.

“Jesus declared a different mission in the sacred environment of the Temple. He spoke of HImself as the new temple. Lord, help us to see beyond structures and buildings to the person of Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith.”