The scripture readings for this mediation can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112020.cfm
As we come close to the end of the church year and get ready for the start of Advent next week and the preparation of the Christmas season next month, we hear in today’s gospel of our Lord being upset at the fact that there were those in the temple not really making God the focus of why they were there. These money changers were making the temple into a “den of thieves.”
These money changers sold animals for the ritual
sacrifice that religious Jews would need in order to offer sacrifice to God in
the temple. These money changers took advantage of the people that needed the
animals for the sacrifice by cheating them and overcharging them just to make a
profit.
Reflecting on this passage, we can and should ask
ourselves what our focus is as we enter church for Mass. What are our
priorities? Are we focused and recollected on the fact that we are entering the
House of God? Are we focused on giving praise and worship to God alone? Or are
we distracted by the cares and concerns of what is going on in our lives
outside of church? With the health issues that are still in our society and all
the political bickering going on because of the recent elections, we need to be
able to focus on the Lord. These problems are like the thieves in today’s
gospel. These problems are stealing our attention away from prayer and worship
of God.
Upon entering any Catholic Church, our focus should
always be on our Lord in the tabernacle, present in a very real way: Body,
Blood, Soul and Divinity. We are to take with us as we enter the church our
cares and concerns and place them into the loving arms of our Lord. With all
that is going on in our city and world around us, it’s tempting to not to focus
on our relationship with God. Let us turn from these troubles and develop that trust
and prayerful relationship with our Lord.
The chief priests, the scribes, and leaders were
looking for ways to put Jesus to death but saw that the people were hanging on
to every word that Jesus spoke. Let us hang on to every word of Jesus by the
frequent reading of scripture. With our Lord in the center of our very being we
can trust in him to help us through these problems.
Lord Jesus, help us to always remember that your house
is a house of prayer. Amen.
Very good & timely reflection & good "food for thought". I would say that I usually serve as lector or EM at the 4:30pm Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Pancras or sing at 5pm Mass at St. Margaret's or St. Elizabeth's & then sing on Sunday with a few choir members at the noon Mass at St. Margaret's. So probably my main focus is on what I am doing in my particular ministry & in doing the best job I can. So my ministry is part of my prayer. I have some good moments of prayer, sometimes when I am focused on the words I am singing or reading.
ReplyDeleteI confess I am often distracted, and as you wrote, the problems going on in our country or a discussion I have had on FACEBOOK or in a verbal conversation can come to mind, including figuring out my next answer. And, of course, Saturday Vigil Mass is followed by dinner & Sunday Mass is followed by brunch or dinner, so thoughts of what & where to eat for my next meal come to mind as well.
As you advised, whatever thoughts, cares & distractions we have can & should be brought before the LORD & we always need to come back to focusing on Our LORD, present in the tabernacle &, during Mass, on the altar. It is a relief to remember that the LORD knows everything about us & still loves us & we can come to Him just as we are.
IT'S MUCH EASIER TO CONCENTRATE ON OUR LORD WHETHER IN CHURCH OR NOT IF WE DON'T LISTEN TO, WATCH OR READ THE "NEWS".
ReplyDeleteA BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL
I agree. I’ve replaced a lot of my “news” time with “prayer” time.
ReplyDelete