St. Cecilia, Friday – 22nd November 2019 — Gospel: Lk 19,45-48
Emphasis on justice and unity
Temple is the place where we go in search of God and pay homage, express gratitude and ask for His blessings. During the time of Jesus the Jerusalem temple had become a market place where injustice prevailed. Jesus cleanses the temple and declares that it is the dwelling place of God and the house of prayer. When Jesus calls the temple a house of prayer, he implies that justice is a must in temple. Jesus’ contemporaries, in order to purify themselves, gave alms to the poor, and offered animal sacrifices. Through his action and emphasis on prayer, Jesus conveys the message that fidelity to God’s will is more essential than all animal sacrifices. He also believes that prayer brings and unites us together as the children of God.
