Daily Readings - Fri Nov 22 2019
1 Maccabees
36Then Judas and his brothers said: "Behold, our enemies have been crushed. Let us go up now to cleanse and renew the holy places.37And all the army gathered together, and they ascended to Mount Zion52And they arose before the morning, on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, (which is the month of Kislev) in the one hundred and forty-eighth year53And they offered sacrifice, according to the law, on the new altar of holocausts that they made54According to the time and according to the day, on which the Gentiles had contaminated it, on the same day, it was renewed with canticles, and lutes, and lyres, and cymbals55And all the people fell upon their faces, and they adored, and they blessed, toward heaven, him that had prospered them56And they kept the dedication of the altar for eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation and praise57And they adorned the face of the temple with crowns of gold and small shields. And they dedicated the gates and the adjoining chambers, and they set up doors on them58And there was very great rejoicing among the people, and the disgrace of the Gentiles was averted59And Judas, and his brothers, and all the assembly of Israel decreed that the day of the dedication of the altar must be kept in its time, from year to year, for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev, with joy and gladness
Luke
45And entering into the temple, he began to cast out those who sold in it, and those who bought46saying to them: "It is written: ‘My house is a house of prayer.’ But you have made it into a den of robbers.47And he was teaching in the temple daily. And the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, and the leaders of the people were seeking to destroy him48But they could not find what to do to him. For all the people were listening to him attentively
Sermon
In today's readings, we reflect on the theme of purification and dedication, both physically and spiritually. The first reading from 1 Maccabees recounts the rededication of the Temple after its desecration by foreign rulers. The people, led by Judas, purify the Temple, restoring its sacredness through sacrifice and celebration, an event commemorated as Hanukkah. This story underscores the importance of preserving sacred spaces and the joy in reclaiming what is holy.
In the Gospel, Luke describes Jesus cleansing the Temple by driving out merchants, emphasizing that the Temple should be a house of prayer, not a place of commerce. Jesus' actions critique the corruption that had seeped into the Temple, calling for a return to its true purpose. This spiritual cleansing highlights the need for purity in our worship and lives.
Both readings connect through the theme of cleansing the Temple, illustrating the enduring importance of maintaining sacredness. The Maccabees' physical restoration and Jesus' spiritual renewal remind us to guard our personal temples—our hearts and lives—from corruption. We are called to dedicate ourselves to God, ensuring our actions and intentions remain pure and focused on worship.
In our daily lives, this means cleansing our hearts from sin and distractions, creating space for prayer and devotion. Just as the Temple required vigilance, we must continually renew our commitment to God, standing against injustice and corruption. Let us strive to be temples of the Holy Spirit, living with integrity and dedication, reflecting God's light in our world.