Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega. You haveOmega, meaning you have given me life and offer me eternal life with you. You deserve ourmy honor, gratitude and love, and yet you never impose yourself upon usme. Thank you for respecting my freedom so that I can offer myself to you. All that I have is yours,; I return it to you. My Jesus I know that you are always with me. Allow me to tune into your presence and grow closer to you.

Petition: Lord God, teach me greater reverence for your house.

1. Zeal for the Father’s House: . Jesus was not an enemy of commerce. In fact, many times in the Gospel, makes references are made to buying and selling without any negative connotations at all. However, in today’s Gospel passage we find Our Lord irate for two principal reasons. Firstly, business activity was taking place within the Temple area and therefore there. This was, in a sense, a “profanation” of God’s house. TThe Temple of Jerusalem contained, veiled behind a massive curtain, the Holy of Holies veiled behind a massive, curtain where God’s mysterious presence dwelled. Yet, paradoxically, Temple worshipers had first to first cross what had the appearance of a marketplace to be able to worship before the Lord. Secondly Second, Jesus was indignant due to the fact that the temple merchants were dishonest. If we look at parallel passages in the other Gospels, it may well be that this was not the only time that Jesus cleared the Temple of these dishonest merchants. Am I always honest in my business dealings? Do I always respect God’s name and the things of God?

2. Return to Reverence: . Jesus was on fire with zeal for the house of his Father and determined that it be respected as a house of prayer. Silence, worship and prayer are elements that should be an essential part of every visit to a church, especially for Sunday Mass. In the tabernacle of every Catholic Church, Our Lord is present in the Eucharist as a prisoner of love waiting to enter into dialogue with us. We are never closer to heaven than when we are before Our Eucharistic Lord. Yet we can forget this truth. Our postures, chatter, and dress might contribute to a general “profanation” of God’s house. Do I try to remember every time I enter a church that I am standing before my Lord who made heaven and earth? Can others see that I believe Jesus is really present in the Eucharist? Is he the center of my attention? Can I put aside all distractions?

3. Hanging on Jesus’ Words: . The crowds are described as “hanging” on Jesus’ every word. Jesus showed a reverence for his Father’s house far greater than any external piety the Pharisees demonstrated. He spoke the truth and was never afraid to stand up for it, even when it was less than convenient to do so. He was unafraid of those who “were seeking to put him to death.” Jesus’ uprightness was the key to his effectiveness and the attractive power of his words. As Christians we are called by vocation to imitate the uprightness of Our Lord in our words and actions. 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, many times I have entered Church distractedly and forgotten that you were present. Sometimes I have even received you in Holy Communion with little attention or fervor or, perhaps, even unworthily. I beg your forgiveness, . I ask to be a zealous witness of your love, and I promise to show you greater reverence in the Blessed Sacrament.

Resolution: I will live the Mass this Sunday with a show special reverence next Sunday during Mass.