The safe (and isolated) reading of this story interprets Jesus’ actions as a pious defense of the sanctity of the Temple space. In this reading, the problem is that prayer space has been invaded by noisy secular economic activity. If the sellers will take their business elsewhere, the problem will be solved, so Jesus chases them out. He cleanses the Temple.
The Quakers have a saying: “If you want to start a conflict, talk about peace.” . . . Jesus’ commitment to peace doesn’t stop at halting violence between violent groups; it seeks to reveal even the small ways in which we live violently towards each other, towards ourselves. And this is offensive not just to violent power, but to us all.
The Beatitudes do not promise distant well-being and success; they celebrate the reality that God is already acting to deliver us. They are based not on the perfection of the disciples but on the coming of God’s grace, already experienced in Jesus.
To live in the light of this truth requires us to reflect upon how we, ourselves, wish to be treated. It asks that we think about our place in the world. Are we worthy of love, of forgiveness, of kindness? Do we deserve to be treated with respect?
People sometimes trust the two-legged gods a bit too much as well: they stand behind pulpits or lecterns, or they write books, or they hold public office. They make promises and utter platitudes, and we gravitate to them because what they say seems right. They say what we want to hear, and we lap it up like thirsty cats.
I’m afraid that for many of us, at times, it is more important to look good than to be good. It’s a frightening thought! How important is it for us to appear good? After all, we are not to be stumbling blocks to our neighbors.