Education in Faith

Holy Week and Easter at St Kevin's Parish Church

Third Sunday of Lent - Year B

Gospel Reflection

The Temple in Jerusalem was and is a powerful symbol of holiness and a symbol of the connection and relationship between God and the Hebrew people. 

It is often assumed that Jesus’ anger was directed at the traders and moneychangers because their business had infringed on and desecrated the temple precinct. The Temple was the holiest site for sacrifice to God. 

The tradition dictated that sacrifice made by a priest on the altar was the highest form of worship. The best animal to sacrifice was a healthy, properly formed creature. Rather than walking a lamb all the way from somewhere like Galilee to Jerusalem, the faithful would purchase their sacrifice animal at the Temple itself – thus the presence of the people selling cattle, sheep and doves. However, to further complicate matters, the Temple traders would not accept Roman coins to purchase the sacrificial animals as they bore the image of the deified emperor. Therefore, money changers were required to exchange Roman currency for acceptable coinage – so the money changers were also playing their part in the prayer life of the Temple.

Jesus’ outrage is not so much with the traders and the money-changers as with the whole religious practice and hierarchical structure that has developed to a point where the only way a person can pray in a ‘valid’ way is to purchase an animal and hand it over to a priest who goes behind a screened wall to sacrifice the animal. The only way to seek God’s forgiveness and mercy was to ‘buy’ it at the Temple. This was what outraged Jesus. He could not stomach the injustice nor the barriers that had been erected between the people and their God.

Scriptural context

This episode of outrage in the Temple is recorded in all four of the Gospels. The three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke place the event in the final days leading to Passion events while the Gospel of John places the event in the very early days of Jesus’ public ministry. The Gospel of John uses the event very deliberately to make the point that Jesus is the new Temple – the new focus of God’s presence in the world; the Word made flesh.

Historical Context

In Jewish tradition, the Temple marked the point of physical connection between God and humankind and between the past and the present. It was where God’s story and humanity’s story met. However, in the year 70 C.E. – about 40 years after Jesus – the Temple was destroyed by the Romans. The gospel of John is written another 20+ years later and so the reality of the Temple’s destruction is still trying to be absorbed by the people. It was a very powerful image for the gospel writer to suggest that Jesus was the new Temple – the new point of connection.

Different View – Just like Jesus

This gospel passage must be one of the most commonly misused passages in the Bible. So often it is used as justification for someone losing their temper, or worse, an outrageous temper tantrum. People will declare in their defence, ‘Well, Jesus lost his temper and got angry in the Temple!’ They fail to appreciate the difference between their own hot-headedness and the outrage against injustice that was being expressed by Jesus. They also seem to miss the significance of the fact that this was a ‘one off’ for Jesus!

Discussion Starters

• What aspects of this gospel passage do you find confronting or challenging?
• What was it about the practices in the Temple that spurred Jesus to such violent anger?
• What might the poor have thought about what Jesus did in the Temple?
• Have you ever seen something that you knew to be unjust? What did you do?
• How can you work against injustice in your local community?
• In what ways is this a ‘difficult’ story about Jesus?
• What was Jesus’ dream of the way people should be able to relate to God?
• Are there Church practices today that may be seen as unjust or discriminatory?
• What everyday forms of injustice exist in your local community?
• How can you challenge injustice?

Sacramental News

Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,

As we embark on a new academic year, we would like to share with you important dates for our Sacramental celebrations that will take place throughout the school year. Sacraments play a significant role in the spiritual journey of our students and we need to ensure that you are well-informed and can actively participate in these meaningful events. Please be advised that attendance is compulsory for the commitment masses and formation nights that take place before the celebration of each Sacrament. Kindly mark the following dates on your calendar:

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Sacramental Program, celebrations or preparation process, please feel free to contact the School's Religious Education leader.

Thank you for your continued partnership in the spiritual formation of our students. We look forward to celebrating these sacred moments with you and your families as a parish community. 

May God's blessings be with you and your loved ones.

Sacrament Levy

There is a $25 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost of stoles.

•  This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received.

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

Project Compassion boxes are now in the Learning Spaces decorated in House colours. Students are being asked to donate to Project Compassion during the season of Lent. They can place their donations in their House Project Compassion box and each week we will let you know how much each house has donated. Parents can also assist by donating to their child’s house through the boxes kept in the office. If families would like to collect a Project Compassion box for their home, they will be available in the office next week. We will then ask you to return them to school by the end of the term.

House Donations so far:

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

Staff have been busily giving out points when they see students demonstrating community spirit, which includes our PBL Values especially our focus of Respect: Listening in outside spaces. This tally also includes the House donations from Project Compassion this week. The points for each House are:

Well done to Teresa who is still leading!! 

Giuliana

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au