As we approach the anniversary of pandemic lockdowns, our lectionary readings this week invite us to consider the role the church plays in our lives and communities. What does it mean to have zeal for God’s house in an age of digital worship and social distancing?
For those of us who may have sojourned in faith traditions with more of an emphasis on legalism, the notion of Jesus “cleansing the temple” may resonate differently than it will with those who are cradle Episcopalians. Bookended by the reading from Exodus 20, this week’s Gospel lesson featuring Jesus’ righteous anger can be anxiety-producing, leading us to ask what Jesus might have to say about the practices in our modern church. Would Jesus flip our tables?