Todays Inspirational Snippet: We cannot be Christs hands and feet and voice unless we first let Christ fill us with his Spirit. Good News Reflection Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome November 9, 2014 Todays Readings Ezek 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22 usccb.org/bible/readings/110914.cfm USCCB Podcast of the Readings: ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/14_11_09.mp3 Is Jesus turning over tables in your life? You are Gods building, says the Word of God in todays second reading, because Jesus Christ is your foundation. You are Gods temple, because the Holy Spirit dwells in you. In the Old Testament, Gods Spirit dwelled in the heart of the Temple building, in a room called the Holy of Holies. No human could enter it except the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement when a blood offering was made for the sins of all. Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, transformed the Day of Atonement into Good Friday (see todays Gospel reading). Then, he placed his Holy Spirit into the hearts of his followers. Sadly, the door to the holy of holies within our hearts is not always open. Whatever we do that blocks the Holy Spirits work in us, Jesus wants to overturn it like the money-changers tables. Is your life in upheaval? Perhaps thats Jesus overturning some tables! Whatever we have or do that does not contribute to the advancement of his kingdom on earth is a sacrilegious use of his temple, and he wants to overturn that, too. In todays first reading, water symbolizes the Holy Spirit. When we allow our inner holiness to flow out from us, we produce many blessings. Sin blocks that holiness from flowing, like a dam of rocks in a stream. Turmoil is often a whirlpool caused by waters slamming against this dam. Jesus is hammering away at the stubbornness of the dam, trying to break it apart. The question is: Do we let him succeed or do we push him away because it doesnt feel good? The money-changers re-gathered their wares and set up their tables again. Are we going to re-gather our troubles by returning to the status quo of the old and familiar? Its far better to let Jesus change us! Our first reaction when something in our lives gets overturned is rarely an appreciative thank you, but thats what it deserves. If our hearts are open to the Holy Spirit, we will soon find the blessing in it and we will become a blessing to others. As a temple of God, you hold the answers to the prayers of others. Jesus wants to minister to them through you. However, we cannot be Christs hands and feet and voice unless we first let Christ fill us with his Spirit, which comes through prayer and through the Sacraments of the Church. Without this, we dont have enough strength to resist temptation. Our sins are like salt water, killing any life that soaks it up. The Lateran Basilica is the Popes Cathedral. Todays feast is a reminder to clean out the dust and dirt from the cathedral of our hearts. As temples of God, we need to work with Jesus to drive out everything that is unholy. If our hearts are open to the Holy Spirit, we will soon find the blessing in this work and we will become a blessing to others. When our lives are filled with the Holy Spirit, Gods goodness flows out from us and provides others with nourishment and healing. Questions for Personal Reflection: In what ways are you damming up the waters of the Holy Spirit? What can you do to let the life-giving waters flow more freely? What gifts of the Holy Spirit are already flowing and making a difference? Questions for Community Faith Sharing: Describe a time when your life (or your parish) was overturned. Looking back at it, what was Jesus doing? How did you grow holier from the experience? How did it become a blessing to others? As you listen to the stories of your community-companions, affirm them by explaining how they have been a blessing to you. © 2014 by Terry A. Modica
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 07:22:01 +0000