FRIDAY OF THE 33rd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)
Mystery of the day: Sorrowful
Celebration: The Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss. Peter and Paul, Apostles
The anniversaries of dedication of these basilicas were celebrated as early as the twelfth century. Both were completed in the fourth century. The St Peter's Basilica was built atop his tomb and was rebuilt in the seventeenth century. St. Paul's Basilica in the Ostian Way was built also over his tomb and was rebuilt in the nineteenth century. "The Holy Mother Church has always been the friend of the fine arts and continuously sought their noble help so that all things set apart for use in divine worship should be truly worthy, becoming and beautiful, signs and symbols of heavenly realities" (Vatican Council II, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 122).
Table of the Word: Revelation 10:8-11; Luke 19:45-48
"... you have made my house a den of robbers" (cf. Luke 19:45-48)
Theme: Be cleansed!
Reflection for the day
Heaven being the eternal bliss does not welcome filthy or dented realities. All must be purified. Our bodies remain God's Temple, and if so we are obliged to make it pure every now and then. Our failure to clean up our filthiness create a barricade between our souls and eternal home.
It is in the light of this, that Evangelist Luke reechoed event of the cleansing of the Temple by our Lord having seen how they turned the place of worship into den of robbers:
"... you have made my house a den of robbers" (cf. Luke 19:45-48)
This sacred duty of the Lord "cleansing" is very symbolic as afar as our spiritual life is concern. Every now and then we have sin and run short of glory. How often do we clean up ourselves from the mess? Do we give ourselves "Holiday in sin?"
If "yes" let us retreat our steps and make haste to clean and purify ourselves.
Today, we also join the Mother Church in celebrating the feast of the dedication of the Basilicas of Ss. Peter and Paul, let us also dedicate our bodies to Him as a sweet smelling fragrance; so that we may behold Him as He really is. Peace, be with you!
Let us pray
Defend your Church, O Lord, by the protection of the holy Apostles, that, as she received from them the beginnings of her knowledge of things divine, so through them she may receive, even to the end of the world, an increase in heavenly grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 17112022
Amen, more grace fr.
ReplyDelete