My Awakening Moment on the Value of Suffering
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Today we hear the Gospel about Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple.
It calls to mind the distractions and idols in our own temple of the heart. What is muddying up the reverence and focus on prayer, worship, and Gospel living that God calls us to? What does Jesus want to drive out of our heart this Lent?
We truly live in an age of idols and distractions that grab our attention and focus. Maybe it’s my phone, iPad, social media feed, workload, frustrations or anger with other people, focus on wealth or greed or comfort, tendency to gossip or criticize, constant distraction load of hobbies and entertainment, or lack of temperance in food or drink. These are just a few common ones that persist in today’s day and age.
What is like the money changing in your life? What distracts you from your relationship with God? What are you worshiping more than God? What is taking the place of God in your life?
Lent is about driving at least one of these out of our lives to make more space for God.
There’s another lesson in this Gospel as well. Zeal for God’s house should consume us more than zeal for anything else. Does it? Or are we too zealous for something else in our life? This can show us where our idols are, what we’re placing above the Lord.
Consider what Jesus wants to drive out of your heart and consider where the object of your zeal is: is it for the things of God or the things of this world?
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
