In today’s Gospel, Jesus drove out those who were selling outside the temples and said, “It is written, ‘My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.’”

I had a hard time understanding what Jesus did. Why was He so angry? After all, if you go to any church in the Philippines, you will always find vendors selling all sorts of goods outside. But I later learned that He was angry because the vendors were taking advantage of the poor by selling overpriced, pre-approved offerings. But before Jesus, nobody spoke out about this injustice. Maybe it was because the priests and temple officials approved these vendors. Also, it would be a hassle for the public to complain. Maybe it was also because those people were not personally affected.

I believe Jesus displayed anger to remind us that if we follow Him, we should get angry when we see an injustice, especially against the poor. Being a Christian is not just about worshipping the Lord; it also means acting against injustice and standing up for the truth.

Ped Faytaren (pedrito.faytaren@gmail.com)

Reflect

“He who is not angry when there is just cause for anger is immoral.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)

Lord, use me as Your hands and feet when there is injustice around me.

Saint Gelasius, pray for us.

First Reading | 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 (or Zechariah 2:14-17)

There are times when it is right to take up arms against an oppressor. The Church has a doctrine about a “just war.” It is not as extensive as many suppose, and there are certain inviolable principles that make it difficult to maintain. Self-defense is OK when we use force in proportion to that used against us. In a war, there is no such thing as “collateral damage” if that means the death of a single innocent (noncombatant) person. Waging a just war is difficult. It is better to solve a dispute by peaceful means.

³⁶ Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.” ³⁷ So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. ⁵² Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, ⁵³ they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made. ⁵⁴ On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. ⁵⁵ All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised heaven, who had given them success. ⁵⁶ For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. ⁵⁷ They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. ⁵⁸ There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. ⁵⁹ Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.

Responsorial Psalm | 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11, 11-12, 12 (or Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55)

R: We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

¹⁰ “Blessed may you be, O Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” (R) ¹¹ “Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours.” (R) “Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. ¹² Riches and honor are from you.” (R) “You have dominion over all, in your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (R)

Gospel | Luke 19:45-48 (or Matthew 12:46-50)

Righteous anger moves Jesus to act toward those profaning the Father’s temple. Yet, what really motivates Him is His love for the Father and His commitment to righteous living. Let us pray for the same sort of love in our lives that will help us keep our bodies holy as temples of the Holy Spirit. God calls us to holiness and to turn away from sin, so we may truly become His disciples in name and in life.

Gospel Acclamation 

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

⁴⁵ Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, ⁴⁶ saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” ⁴⁷ And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, ⁴⁸ but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

Reflect:

Is your body worthy of being a “temple of the Holy Spirit”? Why?

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 86 - 90 today.

A Call to Inner Purification

As we reflect on the cleansing of the Temple and the upcoming Advent season, our thoughts turn to the importance of our celebration today, which is the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We remember today how Saints Joachim and Anne, the devout parents of Mary, presented her in the Temple. This holds deep spiritual parallels to our own need for inner purification and preparation.

In our Gospel today, the cleansing of the Temple symbolizes purification and renewal. This act of cleansing resonates with the spirit of the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as Mary herself was presented in the Temple—a place of sanctity and devotion. The parallel between the cleansing of the Temple and the presentation of Mary underscores the importance of spiritual preparation and dedication to God’s divine plan.

As we continue our journey in life, we need inner cleansing before we adorn our homes with Christmas decorations. It emphasizes that the true spirit of Christmas is not merely found in external adornments, but in the spiritual preparation that precedes them. This resonates deeply with the essence of the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as it reminds us of the significance of inner purity and devotion to God’s will.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary today and prepare ourselves to enter the Advent season, let us draw inspiration from the themes of cleansing, dedication, and spiritual preparation. Let us approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation and experience God’s mercy once again. May we emulate the devotion of Mary and the reverence of the Temple’s cleansing, seeking inner purification as we eagerly await the birth of our Savior. 

Fr. Toto Cerada, SDB

Reflection question

What inner preparations do you need to do before we enter the Advent season?

Lord Jesus, pour out Your mercy and cleanse me of the stains of sin in my soul. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________