JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE:How do our bodies become a “den of thieves”?

JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE:

How do our bodies become a “den of thieves”?

November 19, 2021. Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time.

View the complete readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111921.cfm

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.

The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,

were seeking to put him to death,

but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose

because all the people were hanging on his words.

Reflection:

Jesus was angry because the temple was made to become a den of thieves. What is supposed to be holy was defiled. A temple is a house of God. The church is a dwelling place for God so is our bodies. For we are the Church. It is not only a building or a structure but we who are baptized Catholics. When a person, a thing or a place which is supposed to be holy that is set apart for God, is not being used for the purpose it was intended to be, then it is defiled. Defilement speaks about dirt and therefore it needs cleansing. 

Therefore, when we are unfaithful to our vows to God in our baptism - that is, to renounce Satan and to serve God only, we too are defiling ourselves by sin. When we indulge in the excesses of life and forget God or place Him always second or last in our life, then we are also the guilty ones. When this happens, our bodies which are temples of God become like a “den of thieves”. Evil deeds, vanities, pride, useless things – all that will not bear fruit in eternal life takes away our time, strength, attention, devotion, efforts, and affection which are supposed to be for God alone and His will. We are made by God and our true happiness will only be found in Him. 

We could waste all our time watching Netflix, eating what we want as much as we want and doing what we like to do but these pleasures will all pass. They are not evil in themselves but placing them before God steals away what is supposed to God’s. May we put God first in our lives always. May we strive to be faithful to Him despite our weaknesses and faults. For His mercy awaits us always. Amen. + 

Question for Reflection: What can I change in my life that I may love and serve God more? 

Spiritual Suggestions: Do little acts of devotion for God. i.e., pray a little longer or visit the church more often. You may also try to read the Bible more frequently and meditate on them. 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

God bless us and may He help us always to conform to His will. Amen. +

Reflections by: M.P.J.N.