A house of prayer

At later times, the Presentation of Mary in the Temple is paired with that of the Child Jesus. As a baby girl, though immaculately conceived, Mary, too, was presented by Joachim and Anna.

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The Gospel reading today is not about the presentation, but about Jesus’ “cleansing” of the Temple. The reaction of the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people is severe. His simple reminder, “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves,” hurts them to the core so that they seek to kill him. Jesus rightly accuses them of misusing the Temple and of allowing thieves to operate in that sacred place, all for economic gains.

The First Reading describes the rededication of the Temple which was desecrated by the Hellenists, the enemies of the Jews. This is made possible by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers after defeating them in many battles. The Temple must be respected at all times. No one should use it for other purposes. Only the God of Israel should be worshipped there.