Greetings on this the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chronicles 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a, 12bcd; Luke 19:45-48
Summary
It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves (Lk 19:46).
This phrase is generally thought to be a single Old Testament scripture reference but that is not the case. The writer of the gospel according to Luke concatenated and synthesized scripture from the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah into a unified message.
- From despair, hope. Isaiah counsels of a future where you may freely worship and enjoy the friendship of God.
- From power, judgment. Jeremiah calls out the abuse of religion and economic might by the powerful. They will be removed.
Placing both Isaiah and Jeremiah prophecy in the same quote, Luke is establishing the primacy of Jesus’ words backed by the Oracles of ancient times (Jesus is more than the sum of the prophet parts, so to speak). Jesus is therefore making a Temple Sermon par excellence. It is the beginning of the intense confrontation to come: Power v Prayer.
Isaiah – Salvation for the Just – Hope to return from Babylonian Exile
Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isa 56:7).
Jeremiah – From the Temple Sermon of Jeremiah
Do you think you can steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, sacrifice to Baal, follow other gods that you do not know, and then come and stand in my presence in this house, which bears my name, and say: “We are safe! We can commit all these abominations again!”? Has this house which bears my name become in your eyes a den of thieves? I have seen it for myself!—oracle of the LORD (Jer 7:9-11).
Maccabees – Days of the dedication: institution of the feast of Hanukkah
Then Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it (1 Mac 4:36).
This is a type of restoration also memorialized by Jesus himself.
The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” (Jn 10:22-24).
Being the Messiah was considered to be the promised leader of a rebellion for the restoration of national power.
Jesus’ ‘cleansing’ is not a political revolt but a prophetic sign: the restoration of worship as relationship, not commerce or control.
Reflection
Isaiah, Jeremiah and Judas Maccabees all had to deal with the facade of power and the counter-intuitive power of prayer. The willful taking of what you deem yours and the passivity of allowing the Lord to be your guide. This power play is a centering issue for Christians today. Jesus is clear. Not power, prayer.
Personal Reflection
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).
Lord Jesus may I aspire to prayer not power. Prayer in being a friend of the Most High.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112125.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry