In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple is not just a protest against corruption, but a radical disruption of "business as usual" to reveal that he is the new center of worship and identity. We explored how things that are lawful or permissible can still become idols when they distract us from the sacredness of God’s creation or lead us to make excuses for injustice. By leaning into our baptismal vows, we are called to move beyond the popular narratives of judgment and instead work together as Christ’s representatives to build a "beloved community" where evil and oppression are resisted with bold, abundant love.
David Ford, in his Commentary on John, asks these thought-provoking questions:
1. How can God be worshiped and loved with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength in the face of the attraction and power of money?
2. How can imaginations and desires shaped by advertising, economic incentives and imperatives, and fear of need be freed to delight in and serve God and other people?
3. Can zeal for God and the worship of God compete for attention and time with the attractions of earning money and consuming?
