Tuesday in Holy Week - Reflection
Tuesday in Holy Week – Evening ReflectionJesus goes into the temple and overturns the tables Opening PrayerWe are here in God’s presence In this time of reflection I am going to explore the visit Jesus made to the temple in Jerusalem a few days before he died. You might like to light a candle as a reminder of Jesus the Light of the world Ever present Lord, There is a city, with a river of life, Be Still for the Presence of the Lord Mark 11: 15-18
15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it “a den of robbers”.’ 18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. Temple descriptionThe temple was a massive complex attracting people from all over the known world. This was not the original temple, but a reconstruction made by Herod, and at this time it was not complete. Anybody was free to wander the outer courts; the inner courts were for Jewish people only, although women were excluded from the innermost court before the holy of holies- which nobody entered other than a designated priest. The psalms - although describing and older temple which was destroyed give us an idea of the magnificence. It was on a scale that you could just wander around as a sightseer which Jesus it seems did on his first evening after his entry into Jerusalem Mark 11:11 says, ‘when he had looked around at everything’. There would be skilled craftwork and fine materials to look and wonder at – signs of great wealth and therefore also power, in a completely different league to the village carpentry that the Galileans would be used to. View the model of the temple ReflectionThe Temple Wall:
Psalm 84: 1-3 (Adapted by Annie Heppenstall)How lovely is your dwelling place, O God! How lovely is thy dwelling place - John Rutter Ending and prayersDuring these current times, we are unable to visit our cathedrals and churches places that have been set apart to be Holy to God where people are free to pray and be at peace. We can be assured that our temples are us, and where we are, God is. We come to God in prayer: The Lord’s PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, Closing PrayerLoving God, As we stay at home, let God’s peace remain in our hearts The Lord bless you and keep you - John Rutter Copyright Details Taken and adapted from: A Complete Parish Programme: Annie Heppenstall 2016, Published by Kevin Mayhew. |
