019 Third Sunday of Lent
Readings
Cycle B 3rd Sunday of Lent Year 2015Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25
Psalm: Psalm 19
Gospel: John 2:13-25
Homily Theme
The Commandments
This Sunday, Cycle A readings may be read in parishes where there is an RCIA for new converts
In the first reading this week in Exodus, Moses receives Ten Commandments from God. The first three are negative Commands and the last seven are positive. They are all summed up in the one great Commandment, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, to which Jesus added, and your neighbor as yourself.
The psalm response which we will repeat several times will remind us of our everlasting destiny. ‘Lord you have the words of everlasting life’. Ponder the fact that we will either live with God forever in heaven or forever without Him in an everlasting Hell. Where we will spend it, depends on how we obey His Commands, ordinances and decrees, words mentioned specifically in today’s psalm. Don't make the wrong choices now, remember forever is a long time.
In the Gospel today, Jesus becomes very angry and takes whips to those desecrating God‘s Holy Temple. He was angered by their sacrilege. He overturns the tables and throws out the Money Changers He then speaks of His body as a Temple that will be destroyed. All human bodies are Sacred Temples of the Holy Spirit, as are all unborn babies within their mother’s bodies. How does our modern society respect and treat those tiny bodies which God has willed into being? Millions of them are destroyed and thrown into the garbage? Do you think that Jesus might be angered with us for allowing that? Is it possible that He considers that an even graver sin than that of the Temple Money Changers? We have many public officials who govern us who also claim to be Catholic. Are they excused from obeying God’s Commandments? Are those who voted them into office not responsible? Are they less guilty?
Our modern society is saturated with drugs, pornography, sins of fornication and adultery. Many can not tell you what the Ten Commandments are. How can they then obey them? Religion is mocked and those with faith are made fun of. Religious Institutions are being forced, by a Government Command to act contrary to God’s Commands and Politicians call it a War on Women. What do you think God calls it? The Church’s Teachings on contraception are not understood. The Church teaches that the marital sexual act most be open life but also permits and encourages Natural Family Planning. Sex outside of a sacramental marriage is called fornication and is a sin. Know your Faith and defend it just as the early Christian martyrs did. Let us all endeavor to make a thorough examination of conscience this week on the Ten Commandments in preparation for a good confession.
Remember...It is Ten Commandments... Not the Ten Suggestions.