23 Nov
Fri
33rd Week in Ordinary Time
St Clement I, Pope and martyr
1 Mac. 4:36-37,52-59
(R Ps.) 1 Chr. 29:10,11-12
Lk. 19:45-48
(Ps Wk I)
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"Jesus went into the Temple". This was the Temple where He'd been "presented" to the Lord and welcomed by Simeon and Anna. It was where His mother heard those words about His destiny as Saviour and Light of the world, and about the sword that would pierce her own heart. It was the place where He was for a few days, when people thought He was "lost". He was really doing His Father's work, though Mary and Joseph didn't understand that. Later, He would refer to Himself, His own body, as the "temple" that would be destroyed - and His enemies thought He was desecrating the sacred building. He told the woman at the well that the Jerusalem temple would be replaced as the centre of worship. Instead of a construction of stone and precious metals, there would be His Body, formed by the lives and hearts of His followers, each of them a temple of the Holy Spirit.

When now Jesus comes into the temple that I am, what does He find there? what "business" is going on in my mind and heart that distracts me from being a "house of prayer"?



Lord, teach us to honour our place of worship knowing You are present there.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That those dedicated to medical research and all those engaged in legislative activity may always have a deep respect for human life, from its beginning to its natural conclusion.
Elaboration

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