23 November 2021 Luke 21:5-11
Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
RELIGIOUS LEGITIMACY
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God (Luke 21:5)
While standing at the courtyard of Jerusalem Temple disciples focus on the splendor and magnificence of the temple whereas Jesus on a poor widow and her offering (yesterday’s gospel). This image could represent two orientations in every religion namely, ‘STRUCTURE ORIENTED RELIGION’ (as experienced by disciples) and ‘PERSON ORIENTED RELIGION’ (as experienced by Jesus).
A structure oriented religion closes God to the holy places (Churches) whereas a person oriented religion goes further from structures to discover God in the peripheries, poor, sinners, orphanages, sick etc.
The destruction of the temple echoes a world which does not discover God in human-beings around and creates chaos, hatred, selfishness and fanaticism leading to its gradual destruction. Amen.