Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap.: This Temple, Rebuilt 

By Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap., The Catholic Thing, April 7, 2024

Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, a prolific writer and one of the most prominent living theologians, is a former member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. His newest book is the third volume of Jesus Becoming Jesus: A Theological Interpretation of the Gospel of John: The Book of Glory and the Passion and Resurrection Narratives.

All four Gospels tell of Jesus cleansing the temple. The Gospel of John, however, provides the most detail about what took place, which bears witness that the Evangelist was present at this event. (John 2:13-22)  Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the feast that commemorated both the Israelites’ passing out of slavery in Egypt and the covenant that God made with the Jewish people in the wilderness.

“In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business.”  The scene that Jesus beheld was that of exploiting the temple and its sacrifices for monetary gain.  Upon observing such roguish activity, Jesus made a whip of cords and drove them all out, even violently scattering the coins and turning over the tables.  He told those selling pigeons: “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” …

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