13The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. 15And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; you shall not make my Father's house a house of trade." 17His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me." 18The Jews then said to him, "What sign have you to show us for doing this?" 19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" 21But he spoke of the temple of his body. 22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
Jesus makes a stand about treating the temple with due reverence. He also refers to the resurrection: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will rebuild it”. To me the message is that God will always have his presence on earth no matter what we do to suppress it. At it’s core, the presence will reveal itself in simple things. It makes me wonder if the grandeur of the Catholic Church and the emphasis placed on glorifying God via vast acts of human ingenuity, misses the point that Christ makes throughout the gospels - show love to neighbor and love God. Worship that is simple and heartfelt is all God wants and that is in the reach of everyone.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection touches on an essential insight: Jesus emphasizes authentic worship and connection with God over external displays and grandiosity. His actions in the temple and His statement about raising the temple in three days underline that God’s presence isn’t confined to a building or to human works of art and architecture. Rather, God’s presence is most authentically revealed in Christ and in acts of love, humility, and devotion.
DeleteJesus shows us that worship grounded in sincerity, love for God, and care for others doesn’t require wealth or impressive works; it’s accessible to all, regardless of status. This message often challenges our natural tendency to focus on outward expressions, but it brings us back to the simplicity of loving God and neighbor.
In reflecting on whether grandeur might miss this point, you’re recognizing that while reverence and beauty can lead people toward a sense of awe for God, these aren’t substitutes for the genuine worship Christ calls for. Worship that flows from humility, gratitude, and simplicity resonates with the heart of the Gospel—and as you’ve said, it’s available to everyone.