REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD – 12/13/21 (Memorial of St. Lucy)

For the readings, click here: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Monday of the Third Week of Advent and blessed memorial of St. Lucy! In the gospel reading, Jesus was teaching inside the Temple, and the chief priests and elders questioned His authority. Why did they challenge Him, especially on His authority to teach? It was because Jesus was rebuking them of their sins. However, rather than changing their ways, their hearts remained hardened because of the satisfaction that they received from their wrong deeds such as approval from other people, money from corruption, the honor from being treated as "holy", and others. Because of these obstacles, they did not see the authority of Christ as God, and they did not follow Him. 

One way of understanding the temple in the gospel reading is that it signifies the temple of our bodies where Christ teaches through our conscience. Unfortunately, we may be self-defensive, and we may question the authority of the voice of Jesus that speaks to our hearts whenever we choose to commit sins because of the satisfactions we receive from them. Even though Jesus speaks of humility, we may choose pride because of the satisfaction of being greater than others. Even though He reveals the importance of forgiveness, we may prefer to dwell on our anger because of the satisfaction of expressing our frustration. Even though He guides the Catholic Church, we may want to be silent and avoid defending it because of the satisfaction of approval from people who reject His teachings. God wants us to be more attentive to His voice, so we can have the hope of entering His heavenly temple. 

Let us listen to the voice of God by meditating on the Scriptures. Let us also devote our time in studying the Catholic faith, so we can defend His teachings if an opportunity arises. May we detach ourselves from the approval of other people. And, may we always pray to Jesus for the grace of holy perseverance, and He will gently guide us where we can find true and eternal happiness. 

Amen +

 

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

 

May God bless us and may He grant us the grace to listen to His voice. May He purify our hearts as we serve Him. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic