TGIMMLord3

	CONSUMED WITH ZEAL

The Gospel

JOHN 2:13-17

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

The Media "The Lord of the Rings--The Return of the King"

third session

The dictionary defines “zeal” to be “an eagerness or ardent pursuit of something,” using the synonym “passion” to describe it. Including the idea of being courageous and brave, it means that people will do something “no matter what the consequences.” During the movie “The Lord of the Rings--The Return of the King,” there are many instances of such zeal, especially during this session. We hear Theoden say to his followers: “We cannot win, but we will make battle.” It is zeal that drives him. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli enter the mountain of death because they know that they must. Zeal drives them. Gandolf takes over the defense of Minas Tirith, even though there is little hope of victory because no one else will do it. Zeal drives him. Sam does battle with a creature that he fears more than anything in the world because of his love for his friend, Frodo. Zeal drives him.

The only place in the Gospel that describes Jesus as being driven by zeal was during his encounter with the traders in the Temple. Watching people use his Father’s world for their own profit, Jesus simply had to take action. The only way that John the evangelist could remember the scene was with the words of Psalm 69: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Zeal drove him.

The sacrament of Confirmation has long been understood in the Church as the sacrament that gives courage. In fact, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that is conferred is simply called "the spirit of courage." Perhaps "courage" is too soft a word. "Zeal" might be the better word.

Living in a world that still uses God’s gifts for personal profit, we must work toward achieving a true zeal for God. The fact is that we need more than courage to face the world of consumerism, a world that often condemns life, a world that often thinks only of self-satisfaction, a world that often defines happiness in terms of money and power. We need zeal, a “passion” to eagerly pursue what God wants of us as defined by the words and actions of God’s Son, Jesus. Genuine Christians are courageous Christians, but more than that, they are “driven by zeal" for God.

THOUGHT

How would you define the thought of “zeal to be Christian” in today’s world?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son calls us to be courageous and zealous people as we strive to imitate him in this world that you have created. Direct us to be people who are consumed with zeal to make our world better than it is. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike