Nesting, Cleansing, and Lenten Renewal
By The Rev. Katy Campbell
Readings for March 6, 2024: Reflecting on the Third Sunday in Lent
I am, by nature, a nester. My home is cozy, colorful, and a bit chaotic, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our home reflects who our family is as individuals and as a unit. Collectively, my family would not be the neatest and most organized on the block, and I am sure that does not surprise those of you who know me. Organizing and cleaning my house is a ritual that I would prefer not to do, yet every time I do so, I feel better. Having a tidy and clean house gives me a sense that all is right in the world. It gives me a sense of control when I feel scattered and out of control.
Similarly, our worship space at St. Stephen’s reflects who we are as a church family. We love to sit in the same pews each Sunday, and our liturgical style reflects our broad church identity, (which is simply saying we fall somewhere in between high church (Anglo-Catholic aka “smells and bells”) and low church (how dare you make a sign of the cross- we’re protestants!)
The daily readings assigned for March 6th reflect the 3rd Sunday of Lent and the importance of temple worship for 1st century Jews. The reading from Ezra recounts the decree of King Darius which facilitated the completion of the rebuilding of the temple. The rebuilding of the Temple was a communal effort, with the people of Israel coming together to fulfill God's command. Mark's cleansing of the temple emphasizes the need for purification and sanctification in God's dwelling place. In Ezra, the Temple is purified through the completion of its construction and the restoration of sacrificial worship. In Mark, Jesus purifies the Temple through His righteous indignation, cleansing it of corruption and restoring it to its holy purpose.
As we find ourselves almost midway through lent, many of us may have put our lenten practices on the backburner to more pressing needs. I encourage you to do a little lenten cleaning (metaphorically speaking) and recommit to your lenten practices. By doing so, you will walk closer and closer to resurrection.
