March 3, 2024, 3rd Sunday of Lent-B

Exodus 20:1-17

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 1:22-25

John 2:13-25

“I, the LORD, am your God…you shall not have other gods besides me.” Ex. 20:1

…he did not need anyone to testify about human nature.  He himself understood it well.  John 2:25

Lord, from the earliest times you knew the attractions of the world would distract us from our worship of you.  That is why your very first commandment put a priority on our relationship with our Father.  For our good and the good of all mankind you commanded that God must come first in our lives.  For if you are our most important relationship and we listen to you and obey you all the rest will fall into place.  It’s when we lose our way to you or replace you with temporary worldly goods we get into trouble.  To pursue anything that comes between you and your children opens the door to follow the false gods of convenience, money, pride, fame, and selfishness.  As you purified the temple, Lord, I pray you can purify me to love, honor and praise you above all.  This season of Lent is a most excellent time to turn to scripture and the sacraments to cleanse ourselves of whatever keeps you at arm’s length.   You know each of us very well so look into our hearts and reveal to us any false gods you find there.  Amen.