Cleansing the Temple

Readings for Friday November 20, 2009

First Reading: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59
Responsorial Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29:10
Gospel: Lk 19:45-48


Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them,“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. (Lk 19:45-47)

In today's readings, we read about two different times that the temple was cleansed of the things and people who defiled it. Jesus went in and drove out those who were treating it as a market rather than the house of God. I think that today's readings give us a good reminder that we are to treat those things that are holy and of God with the proper respect and reverence that they deserve. Today is a good day to think about how do we conduct ourselves when we enter the house of the Lord. If you are like me, perhaps when you are on your way to mass your are running so late that the only thing you are concerned about is rushing in and finding a seat. But I know that this is the house of God and that Jesus himself is in their, I think that each of us would do well to examine how we treat the house of God.

As a final though for the day, not only should we be showing respect and reverence for the church, but also for the other temple of God ... our bodies. Saint Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians; "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God which you are, is holy." (1 Cor 3:16-17) So today, let us also reflect on how we treat our own bodies, our own temples of God. Are we honoring Him by what we are putting into our bodies? Are we careful of the music, movies, TV shows, conversations, and other things that we let into our minds? Are we asking God each day to rid us of the sin and to fill our hearts only with Him?

May we all remember to treat God's temples with the respect and reverence of which they deserve.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, please forgive us for the times that we have not shown reverence for the church or for our own bodies, which are all your dwelling places. Lord help us to do what is please to you and to only fill our hearts and minds with the things that are good and Holy. We pray for all of our youth and for their dignity. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.