Early in St. John’s gospel, we see Jesus resolutely striding into the outer courtyard of the Jerusalem Temple, a space bordering on what the Jewish people acknowledged to be God’s own Dwelling place. In driving out the money changers at work there, he’s giving a forceful message that there are activities which don’t belong, certain actions and attitudes which are not fit to be near to God. With his whip and flailing arms, Jesus takes this bold step to clear these things off the scene. He stands against any disrespect for his beloved Father.

Jesus’ turning over these tables is a visual of the efforts any believer makes to change and even reverse direction. It’s a graphic for what it means for someone to rid his or herself of behaviors and outlooks which just don’t fit when trying to live a God-centered life.

This Lenten time of year is a season for closer attention to following Jesus, who himself is God’s nearness to us. These weeks shine a brighter light on those trappings which just don’t belong, actions which have no place in God’s house.

Walking into this temple with Jesus, each of us could pick out different obstacles to push against, to topple over; things like self-seeking, neglect of the poor, indifference to the world’s sufferings, betrayal of a relationship, dishonesty – any such thing that would conflict with the gospel instincts of our own St. Vincent. These and many others are those kinds of non-fits in God’s house, those wobbly tables needing to be overturned if we’re to come closer to the Divine.

The title of an evangelical hymn, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” sets out an image for much of what Jesus is teaching us in this Temple scene. It envisions each of us actively walking close by Jesus as he guides us past those mindsets and behaviors which block our way into his Father’s House.

In this spirit of Jesus’ walk through the courtyard, let us recognize what some of those coins are that need to be scattered on our ground, what are some of those tables are I need to upend, and specifically what are those things that need to be confessed and forgiven in the sacrament of Penance.

Actions like these help us come to a clearer recognition of what matters in setting out to “Take that closer walk with Thee.” These Lenten days and Lenten practices carve out that path that not only leads us closer to God, but more importantly, allows the All Loving God to draw closer to each one of us.