Reflection for March 18 – Kathleen Jackson

Reflection – Mark 11:11-19

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.

Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’ And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

Reflection – Kathleen Jackson

I found Jesus, as presented in this story, hard to relate to at first glance. Through the Gospel, to this point, Jesus has been generally loving and kind. Certainly not anyone who could turn over tables and cause disruption!

I decided to meet Jesus here as if I were Mary Magdelene. I imagined I was present when Jesus rode into the city on a colt, greeted with “hosannas” and recognized for who He was. I saw Him curse the fig tree. And now, I witness Him enraged, turning over the tables and sending all who misused this temple scattering. I see Jesus, fully human, fully divine, stepping into His Glory and full of anger.

What I see is equal parts terrifying, glorious, and holy. How do I, a mere human, meet my Rabbi, my friend, in this moment? I imagine He comes to me afterwards, emotionally spent, needing to talk. I can meet Him by offering to hear Him. And what I hear is a Son, deeply offended by the human abuse of His Father’s House of Worship. He sees a perversion of worship and it hurts.

I learn that anger, despite being troubling, can be a righteous and effective tool. Jesus undoubtedly knew the vendors would return and the den of thieves would be restored. But His actions become a statement of His love for His Father and ultimately, His Love for us. Like a parent frustrated by a child’s bad behavior, He knows we can do better. As our Lord, He commands it. As our Savior, he enables it.

What we say, what we do, who we lift up, matters. No prayer goes unheard. Our love for each other and our righteous indignation send out positive energy that God will not waste.