Listen

Then Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those who were selling and buying there. He pushed over the tables used for currency exchange and the chairs of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you’ve made it a hideout for crooks.”

Matthew 21:12-13

Think

Why was Jesus so angry? When people travel from other countries, there is a need for currency exchange so that they can buy things. Jesus wasn’t angry that there were people exchanging money or even selling animals for sacrifice. That was part of their tradition. Jesus was angry because they were doing it in the area of the temple where people were trying to pray. They were taking advantage of others, and the temple leadership was allowing it.

Where do you recognize systems of unjust behavior? Turning tables over may not be the answer to speaking up against systems of injustice, but there are other ways — letters to the editor of your local newspaper, protests, or maybe you just pointing it out to others.

Katherine Doyle

Pray

Dear God, help me to recognize systems of unjust behavior.

If I am part of one, help me to see it and be an instrument of healing.

If I see it elsewhere, give me the courage to speak up and to speak out.

Amen.

Go

We are to model Jesus’s life.

How can you serve God and others today?