Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

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Gospel
Luke 19:45-48

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.

Reflection

This very famous line that Jesus speaks in this passage, My house shall be a house of prayer, not a den of thieves, is really the strongest indictment against the temple. God established the temple so that he could make a connection with His people.

It had turned into a place of blind obedience, expensive rituals, and not a place where they could find a connection with God, and underscores what prayer is. Prayer is not listening to the teachings of a religion. Prayer is longing for intimacy with God and believing that intimacy is real and it will speak to us. That's the key of prayer.

Not so much will we ask God, but in prayer what he will tell us, what He’ll show us and call us to do.

Closing Prayer

Father, prayer is one of your greatest gifts and promises. You not only say to us, Yes you can ask me to help things happen in the world but more importantly, prayer is a time when you teach us, show us, awaken us. Bless us with that kind of meditative, quiet prayer where we're truly listening along with all the things we ask you to help us with. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross