9 November 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist

NOTE: Please click the Subscribe key on YouTube and press the black notification bell to receive the daily reflections. Or, open in YouTube for easy access. View and Like. Thank you.

TOPIC: WHAT CAN KEEP US FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD?

First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Second Reading: First Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17
Alleluia: Second Chronicles 7: 16
Gospel: John 2: 13-22

Why did Jesus drive the money changers from the Temple area? This scene may seem difficult for us to understand. Jesus had righteous anger toward those who made the "Father's house into a house of trade or a den of robbers." Our Lord was indignant at those who were taking advantage of people through dishonest exchange by offering unjust rates. We see here that Jesus does not tolerate those who disrespect the place of worship designated by God.

He also uses this situation to teach something profound about Himself and His mission. In saying, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up," he was not speaking of the Jewish temple itself but of His body.

We can go into the empty tomb and see that the new temple still stands and lives and, thus, our worship is to be centered on Jesus in the Church, not on the old temple. He leads us into true worship of God, and, in fact, invites us to be temples of the Holy Spirit ourselves.

This is the 1658th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: Let us listen to our brother Solphie Confiado, Country Coordinator for CFC Egypt, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]