The Word Of Peace
Homiletic Reflections On Peacemaking

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.

3rd Sunday in Lent, Cycle B

March 2000

"Throw the Rascals Out"

Today the option for the poor is more timely than ever, for two reasons: There are more of them, both in Latin America and in all the Third World; and they are poorer.

Bishop dom Pedro Casaldaliga

Freeman Dyson, Physicist

I begin with these remarks from Bishop dom Pedro Casaldaliga and physicist Freeman Dyson because these words raise up the central concern of God’s Word for us today. These words are a mirror for society to look into and see if it likes the reflection of what really is. Beneath the glitz is that ever-present question—what is it that really matters, people or profits?

The cleansing of the Temple by Jesus is one of the most disturbing episodes in the Scriptures for many people. Some would like to believe that Jesus was a quiet preacher (an odd thing indeed), inoffensive, polite and well mannered. However, here we have our Lord active in that prophetic fashion that must act in a way that reveals the truth of the situation as God sees it. Such things cannot always be done in polite fashion, or in ways that do not offend delicate human sensibilities. Prophets then are about telling the truth, that is, telling God’s truth in the midst of the real life situations of the times. Some of these truths will be embraced and the prophet welcomed by many. Other truths will be rejected outright as subversive or treasonous, then the prophet must look to his or her life!

Jesus’ action is one that was thought out. He had a purpose in his actions at the Temple. He threw the rascals out because the Temple, which was to be a house of prayer, had become a haven for those that would exploit others in the name of God. How could one be an observant Jew of the Law of Moses and not go broke or suffer great economic hardship due to the monopoly on animals and money changing at the temple? Here religion was being used to oppress people and to degrade the economic quality of their lives. This is contrary to the purpose of the Law. God’s Law is meant to bring harmony, order and justice—it is another act of creation by God. True religious expression is always concerned with creating a society that values life—values people over the economic gain of a few. A hard message to apply in a society presently concerned with accumulation rather than sharing.

And yet one could point out that this is an unfair assessment of the situation! As a whole, American middle class folks give to charity and render service to others in generous amounts, especially American Catholics. But it is noteworthy that the smallest charitable contributions come from the economically top 5% U.S. families.

So much of human well being depends on how money and wealth are used. Whenever it is used to harm others the prophets come. Yet, we know it can be used for the good. Many of us here have already received a letter from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. This annual fund drive provides local service organizations like St. Vincent DePaul Shelter, the Salvation Army and other outreach organizations with vital funds for the next fiscal year. Much of the good that these organizations provide to the Bristol area would not be possible without the funds that come from the AAA. Our money then can be put to good use. Our money can help make the lives of others more comfortable and humane. Such use of money can be used to set others free to know that God does care and love them through the Lord’s people.

The quest for a more just society can begin with our generous contributions to AAA. And we can continue to promote a more just society by working together to advance policies at all levels of government and society that are focused on one primary goal—the ratification of the value of every human life. When such things become commonplace among human beings then we will have a lesser need for guns, greed and jails for God’s justice will be in ascendancy.

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Uploaded March 24, 2000