Scripture Reading
Matthew 21:12-13
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."
Reflection
The cleansing of the temple is an act of passionate love for his Father's house. Jesus does not sigh and walk past the corruption; he overturns it. The same intensity is available to us: a zeal for prayer that refuses to let distraction and commerce crowd out the sacred. Holy Week's Monday asks what is crowding out the house of prayer within us.
Prayer for Today
I hope that you have used it full and well.
And yet another starting now, today:
Perhaps you should rededicate your life,
And give it to the Lord, who gave you yours.
For all that went before has passed behind;
Your future lies before you like a road.
And so I pray the Lord will be with you,
And dwell with you, and keep you as His own,
And walk with you, beside you, down the road.
And now I pray that He will make today
The finest birthday that you ever had.
And yet another starting now, today:
Perhaps you should rededicate your life,
And give it to the Lord, who gave you yours.
For all that went before has passed behind;
Your future lies before you like a road.
And so I pray the Lord will be with you,
And dwell with you, and keep you as His own,
And walk with you, beside you, down the road.
And now I pray that He will make today
The finest birthday that you ever had.
Amen.