Daily Readings - Fri Nov 24 2023
Luke
45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling.46"It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.48Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives of purification and rededication, both in the Temple of Jerusalem and in the hearts of God’s people. The first reading from 1 Maccabees recounts the rededication of the Temple after its desecration by foreign rulers. Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, with great faith and courage, restore the Temple to its sacred purpose, ensuring that the worship of God is renewed. This event, celebrated as Hanukkah, reminds us of the enduring importance of preserving the sanctity of God’s dwelling place among His people.
In the Gospel, we find Jesus taking bold action in the Temple, driving out those who had turned it into a marketplace. By quoting Scripture, Jesus emphasizes that the Temple is meant to be a house of prayer, not a place for profit or corruption. This act of cleansing is not just about physical space but about the spiritual renewal of God’s people. Both readings highlight the need to purify and rededicate ourselves to God’s will, ensuring that our hearts and lives are free from distractions that pull us away from Him.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we might apply this call to purification in our own lives. Just as the Temple needed to be cleansed and rededicated, we too must examine our hearts and lives to remove anything that distracts us from prayer, worship, and living as God’s people. Let us strive to create a sacred space within ourselves, where God can dwell and guide us. May we, like Judas and Jesus, have the courage to renew our commitment to God, dedicating ourselves to His service and living with joy and fidelity.