When Christ went to the Temple
to worship God one day,
He entered through the courtyard
where anyone could pray.
That court was for the nations —
and all could enter in.
But Jesus found a market,
a shameful robbers' den.
There, cattle, sheep and pigeons
were sold for sacrifice,
And moneychangers shouted
of quality and price.
Outsiders could not enter
the inner courts for prayer.
Their only place to worship
was in the courtyard there.
When prayer gave way to profit,
and pride closed many doors,
The Lord cried out in anger
and made a whip of cords.
He shooed the sheep and cattle
and scattered pigeons, too.
God's house was for all people —
not for a chosen few.
O God, you love the nations
and call us all to pray.
Forgive us when our worship
turns other folk away.
As Christ, in loving protest,
fought prejudice and pride,
May we who follow Jesus
now welcome all inside.
