Cleansing the Temple

This reflection will appear in the Lent 2008 devotional at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Atlanta.
This passage from Luke tugs at my heart. Jesus is frustrated by the inability of those around him to understand his message or who he is. And he is angry that our gifts to God have become an industry, a way for people to meet their sacrificial obligations, yet remain removed from the spiritual benefit of personal, heartfelt contributions to God.