Holy Week readings and activities

Monday: Jesus clears the temple

Read the scripture
Mark 11: 1-17
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple and began to drive out all those who
were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the stools of those
who sold pigeons,  and he would not let anyone carry anything through the Temple courtyards. 
He then taught the people: “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, ‘My Temple will be called
a house of prayer for the people of all nations.’ But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!”
Activity
Take a piece of scrap cardboard and draw key on it. Cut the key out. Cover it with silver foil or
metallic paint to give the impression of a real key. Make a label out of scrap paper or card and
attach it to the key. Write on it: House of Prayer for All Nations.
A Pra at
Ho ye ion
fo

us r
r

e
Al

of
lN

Reflection/prayer
In Jesus' day, worship was a very status driven activity. The more important you were, the closer
you could get to the Holy of Holies - the centre of the temple, where God was supposed to live.
Women and non-Jews were among those who couldn't get very close at all. In today's reading,
Jesus is angry because the section of the temple where non-Jewish people could worship is full of
merchants selling animals for sacrifice. Not only were the gentiles unable to get close to God
because they weren't considered important enough, now they couldn't even worship in the outer
area of the temple because of all this buying and selling. Jesus came to earth to draw all peoples
close to God. He is the key that enables every person, whether young or old, male or female, gay or
straight, Jewish or non-Jewish to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and come close to God in
prayer.

Place the key you have made on your Easter Altar as a reminder that Jesus came to give ALL people
access to God and His kingdom.

Dear God,
Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to show us your great love for all people. Thank you that
no-one is excluded from your kingdom, regardless of how unimportant others might consider
them. Help us to love everyone without prejudice, and to always to offer them your kingdom keys,
never excluding anyone from your goodness.
In Jesus' holy name we pray,
Amen