Jesus, the new temple — Silvio José Báez, O.C.D.

Let’s be careful not to turn our churches and parishes into a “market”. Our main interest shouldn’t be to put a price on sacred actions, and we shouldn’t make everything revolve around economic gain. We should be careful not to turn our hearts into a “market”. Let’s not sell our conscience to the highest bidder, lose our dignity just to acquire more, and let’s not act unjustly or immorally just for the sake of money. We must be careful not to turn our relationships with others into a “market”. We shouldn’t take advantage of people, seek nothing but our own profit, or do things out of self-interest; rather, we should seek to show generous love and solidarity.

After his resurrection, Jesus is the new temple in which God comes to us and we meet God. Jesus is a temple with open doors, where there is room for everyone and where we are all freely loved by God and we are always mercifully forgiven by him. Let’s draw near to Jesus, who is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), to listen to him and to know him, to follow in his footsteps and to live by his spirit. God has no need of our sacrifices, nor do we have to multiply religious acts to draw near to him. God only wants sons and daughters willing to live with him in a relationship of love. God is love; you can’t buy love. This Lent, let’s welcome the love of God manifested in Christ and allow this love to purify the temples of our lives, destroy our false idols, and impel us to love others with generosity and joy.

Silvio José Báez, O.C.D.

Auxiliary Bishop of Managua
Homily, Third Sunday of Lent (excerpt)

Translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.