Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.'” Matthew 21:12-13
“Alas! How many souls there are full of self, and yet desirous of doing good and serving God, but in such a way as to suit themselves; who desire to impose rules upon God as to His manner of drawing them to Himself. They want to serve and possess Him, but they are not willing to be possessed by Him.”
François Fénelon (1651-1715) French archbishop and theologian in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 537.
Fenelon’s words are pointed, echoing the exclamations of Jesus in the cleansing of the temple courts during Holy Week. The religious leaders in that setting had imposed rules and did only what would “suit themselves” despite exhibiting a persona of doing good and serving God. Are we also guilty of this?
Apart from God’s work in our lives we are all “full of self” and our proclivity is to want to “possess” God like any other possession. God, by your Holy Spirit, cleanse our temples and possess our lives so that we become the house of prayer and devotion that you desire. Do this I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.