November 9, 2014: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Parishioners from St. Mary-of-the-Woods Village Church are participating in a hunger walk to raise money for people who live in the local area.

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said,
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.

At this the Jews answered and said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said,
“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. (John 2:13-22)

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds the merchants that the temple (or church) is a sacred place.
In his warning, he is also saying to us that we, the people, are Church, and as Church it is important that we are kind and loving to all people and creation.

Action:

Think about a time you had to be reminded that what you were doing was not good for you, others, or creation. Why was your action not good? Since that time you were reminded, have you repeated it? If so, what can you do to keep from doing this action again?