Scripture
Holy Monday: Clearing Out Distractions
On Holy Monday, Jesus returned to Jerusalem and went straight to the temple. But instead of finding people focused on worship, He saw merchants taking advantage of those who had come to pray. They turned God’s house into a den of robbers. Jesus flipped over tables and drove them out. He reminded everyone that the temple was meant to be a place of prayer, not a place for greed.
This was a powerful moment. Jesus’ actions carried meaning. He knew the religious leaders were watching, and He knew His time was short. By clearing the temple, Jesus was making a bold statement He was the true King, and He would not allow anything to get in the way of worshiping God.
But distractions don’t just happen in a temple; they happen in our own lives, too. Sometimes, little things pull us away from truly worshiping God. For me, it might be a social media notification, a frustrating email, or a conversation that leaves me feeling anxious. For you, it might be a health struggle, stress about the future, or bad news that fills your mind with worry. Just like the merchants crowded the temple, these distractions can crowd our hearts and make it harder to focus on God.
Yet even on this busy and intense day, Jesus also made time to be with His close friends—Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He knew He needed moments of peace and encouragement before facing the cross. That’s a reminder for us, too. As we clear out the distractions in our lives, we also need to surround ourselves with people who lift us up and help us grow in faith.
Holy Monday teaches us an important lesson: Jesus wants our full attention. He calls us to remove anything that keeps us from worshiping Him completely. Today, let’s ask him to clear out the distractions in our hearts so we can focus on what truly matters – loving and following Him.
Reflection
What distractions in your life might be keeping you from fully following Jesus?
How could you remove some distraction today?
Prayer
Spend some time praying for God’s help in focusing your attention on Him this Holy Week.
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