The Palm Sunday readings in Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus then went to the temple courtyard where people were changing imperial issued money into the money acceptable for temple sacrifice and overturned the tables of the moneychangers, a source of income for the temple leadership. Mark’s Gospel has Jesus doing this the day after, but it seems pretty clear that this event occurred.
As we consider all the issues we face as a society, including the culture wars, the one sacred cow not to be attacked is the importance of money. Corporations that benefit from a skewed tax code have their lobbyists explaining to Congress why they should be able to hike the price of oil, quadruple the cost of Covid vaccines, and have all kinds of subsidies while ordinary people, like those in the temple courtyard, suffer.
No question that it is difficult to take on the wealth that speaks to power in order to benefit not just those at the bottom but those of us who try to balance our checkbooks and live from day to day. Just as in the time of Jesus, the wealthy and powerful knew that the language of fear can be used to maintain their position.
Prayer for the Day
Spirit of Change, bring us to that place where we seek new direction
And be our constant companion as we make decisions for our lives;
Spirit of Life, open us to new ways of thinking about our world
Which often seems so confusing and troubling.
Bring us from our past into a future open with possibilities
So we may find the courage to be your disciples.
We ask this in the name of the One who calls us into discipleship,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
For too long our system has been biased in favor of oil and gas developers: sweetheart lease deals, generous subsidies and a regulatory process so slanted in favor of Big Oil that often permit reviews are simply waived.
- Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative, Maine
U.S. taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize some of the largest and most profitable corporations in America… I have talked to too many workers in this country who … tell me of the struggles they have to provide for their kids on starvation wages…”
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator, Vermont
Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!
O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?
Psalm 94: 3