Cleansing the Temple

Greetings on this the Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chronicles 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a, 12bcd; Lk 19:45-48
Notes: Friday, Judas and the purification of the temple, Hanukkah, November 28th, 2021.

Today, as is often the case, we draw out the parallels between the Old Testament and New Testaments.

Old Testament
Judas was able to eject the overlords from their desecration of the Temple.
They re-sanctified the Temple and began to offer new burnt offerings, and sacrifices of deliverance and praise.

New Testament
Jesus removed the merchandising people from the Temple. They engaged in the selling of animals for sacrifice and coin exchange for the temple coinage to be used for the temple tax and alms. Whatever their sin was as merchants it would be presumed to be cheating the people. Yet unseen to us.
Jesus re-sanctifies the Temple in a way unseen to us in preparation for the final sacrifice, himself. The Temple is no longer to be used for animal sacrifice.

“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”

First reading
For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar
and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
of deliverance and praise.

Responsorial 1 Chronicles
We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

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

Gospel Portion
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
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,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.

What things or ideas do we need to remove to sanctify our lives?

What do we need to do to make our person a house of prayer?

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry