GOD DESIRES TO PURIFY HIS TEMPLE - 11/18/22 (Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul)

Luke 19:45-46

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.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111822.cfm

Blessed Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul! This memorial is important for us because we remember the great saints of the Catholic Church, St. Peter and St. Paul, through these basilicas. In today's gospel reading, our Lord Jesus expressed how He desired to purify His temple. It became a "den of thieves" because it no longer was treated as place of worship but as place of business. Even today, Jesus desires to purify His temple on earth. His temple can represent many things, and one is the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is the visible Kingdom of God here on earth, and the Church is led by the Pope, the successor of St. Peter. However, we also know that there are many people who are part of the Catholic Church who are guilty of sins. They may scandalize others, and we may recognize the imperfections of many Catholics. But, what do we do about them? Do we point fingers at them and express our frustration and anger? If this is what we do, God desires for us to be more humble and acknowledge that we can only be instruments of our Lord if we cooperate with Him. When we see the faults of people in the Church, it's an opportunity to pray to God for their conversion and to trust that God listens to our prayers. We should not be the reason to bring more division, but the divisions that we see should lead us to bring more unity through our prayers and sacrifices because this is what's more pleasing to Christ whose mystical Body is the Catholic Church. 

God doesn't just desire to purify the Church. He also wants to purify the temple of our hearts and our souls. St. Paul was a great evangelist, but he was first a persecutor of the Church. He led the martyrdom of St. Stephen and others. It was through the encounter he had with Jesus that changed his heart. From being the persecutor, God changed him and made him the defender of the Catholic Church. Like him, we should aspire to share the gospel in our words and actions. However, Jesus is reminding us that we are sinners who are in need of His grace and mercy. What are the sins we usually fall into? Do we have the tendency to be angry easily when things do not go in accordance with our expectations? God dwells, not just in the Church, but also in our hearts. Because of this, we should persevere to imitate the humility and gentleness of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we reflect on our sins and seek the guidance from God on how we can be more pleasing to Him and on how we can follow Him even more. Let's follow the voice of Jesus Christ in our hearts that are purified by His love. 

Amen +

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

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/november-18---dedication-of-the-basilicas-of-saints-peter-and-paul-apostles/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/