Friday, November 24, 2006

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, and his companions, martyrs

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."
Luke 19:45-46

Reflection:
Was he speaking of our day about this. I've gone to church to see this happening at the entrance/exit, but inside the church not outside or in a church hall. It does not happen just in my Parish but in many others. It's a way of nabbing the parishioners after mass to buy whatever they are selling.

Just like the chief priests, scribes did when Jesus was alive. They were selling things to bring in money or for others to make money. Isn't this what it all came down to, the fact that they were out to make money. What better way to have the populace give then, when they are congregating.

His house shall be a house of Prayer, but it is no longer that is it. People congregate but when we use our churches as a means to sell goods, we turn it into a den of thieves. Where people respect money not God. They don't come for God, but what is being sold in the church.

And there are many who go to be in this sacred place to encounter a relaxed atmosphere where piety and love for God was once there but is no longer. We have the silence when it's part of the day no mass is offered, but not when we need to reflect and let the Holy Spirit dwell in us so we may truly benefit.

Have we often wondered before going to church what they may be selling when you get there. It should be the Word of God, where we buy everlasting love.

4 comments:

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Something to reflect on:


During His earthly ministry some 2,000 years ago, Jesus cleansed the Temple with a whip which He fashioned with cord.

In our own day, before He manifests Himself in His Second Coming, He is cleansing the Church. Cleansing it of homosexual predators, heretics, apostates and various other evils.

Our Lord always begins His purification with the Church. And then He proceeds to purify the the rest of society.

It always begins with the Church. Is this not right and proper? What then awaits our paganized, materialistic, hedonistic society?

In a word: chastisement.

Marie Cecile said...

How true.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marie Cecile,

I understand the need to raise money for good causes. I guess it depends of where the tables are and how "forceful" are the people in getting my attention...

Marie Cecile said...

Hi Hector,

True, if they were outside of the Church and they wanted your business they would draw your attention.

By-the-way congratulations. I tried posting on your blog but nothing would come up for me to be able to comment. So I will try again later.