When Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem He was incensed that it was being treated like a ‘den of thieves.’
Before we get too indignant, how do we treat our churches, cathedrals and other places of worship? We often have to pay to enter our cathedrals; that is reasonable, they have to be upkept. But do we treat them like museums? At the exit there will be a shop. Are our churches much different? Our church visits can just be a place to meet up with our friends and to sort out the business that needs to be arranged.
Primarily these places are a place of worship; a chance to re-connect with God. They are an opportunity to lay down the rush of life and concentrate on our Saviour. Of course, we can commune with God anywhere but places of worship are ideal times to be able to do this.