The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, November 9, 2024
Reflection on the WORD
“Sacred Temple for Worship” – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus was furious at the money changers who cheat and thus desecrate the Temple. He chased them out of the Temple which He proclaimed is a “House of Worship”. Ponder on, “Our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to purify it with our moral upright living.”
John 2:13-22
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting there.
Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers' coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father's house into a market.’
Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. The Jews intervened and said, ‘What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?’ Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’

Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- This week’s Gospel seems to have the common challenge of how we should use the material gifts that God has given us.
- In today’s Gospel, Jesus was furious because the poor were exploited through deceitful means; more so in the sacred space of the Temple.
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When we enter into the sacred space of our Church, we offer God not only our material gifts, but the offering of our whole life. What are you offering to God? Would God accept your gifts?
