FRIDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR
Celebration: Ferial
Table of the Word
First Reading:1 Maccabees 4:36–37, 52–59
Gospel: Luke 19:45–48
Theme: Lord, Reclaim Your Temple in Me.
Reflection
Today's first reading taken from 1 Maccabees 4:36–37, 52–59 gives an account of how Judas Maccabeus leads Israel to clean and rededicate the temple after the brutal defilement of the sanctuary by pagan forces. It was on the anniversary of its desecration, the people rebuild the altars, restore the vessels, and offer sacrifices with immense joy. What was once polluted is now the site of renewed worship and faithful thanksgiving.
The Gospel pericope according to Evangelist Luke 19:45–48 presents Jesus' entry into the temple; on entering He finds it corrupted by commerce, noise, and selfish exploitation. With divine authority, He drives out the merchants, declaring: “My house shall be a house of prayer.”
However, these two readings point to the spiritual cleansing of ourselves as God's Temple. For the Scripture says, God chooses to dwell not in structures made by human hands but in our very lives (cf. 1 Cor 3:16). This means we carry His presence wherever we go. Being God’s temple calls us to live in holiness, guard our hearts from anything that defiles, and allow His Spirit to guide our actions, words, and choices.
It is in view of this that, the Church sees the rededication of the temple as an act of a deeper spiritual restoration. St. Irenaeus therefore reminds us that “the glory of God is man fully alive,” meaning that God’s dwelling shines when the human soul is purified.
Similarly, the Church teaches that purification is ongoing, she constantly returns to holiness through penance, prayer, and the sacraments (cf. Lumen Gentium 8).
Indeed, it is only God who restores what sin defaces. God always desires a place to dwell, and that place is us. Just as Judas restored the polluted sanctuary and Jesus purified the temple courts, the Lord wishes to clean, reclaim, and consecrate the inner temple of our souls.
Dearest in Christ, we really need to overturn some tables today, if we actually desire to be cleansed:
- Resentment?
- Fear?
- Hidden compromise?
- Excessive busyness?
- The silent idols of the heart?
Christ’s cleansing is not an act of condemnation but an act of love. He removes what harms so that holiness can flourish again.
Finally, let God bless our broken places. Let Him sweep away what distracts. Let Him rekindle the fire of worship within you. When God restores, joy always returns just as Israel rejoiced for eight days at the Feast of Dedication.
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 21112025
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