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Gospel Reading for November 09, 2026 – John 2: 13-22
TRUE ENCOUNTER
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
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The temple, or what we now know as a church building, is more than just a structure. It is a sacred place where the community of the faithful gathers to worship God. It represents a special place where God and his people encounter one another. For us Catholics, in particular, the Eucharistic Celebration is not merely a ritual but a TRUE ENCOUNTER between God and his faithful people. Hence, defilement of the Church is dishonoring God.
Jesus’ anger toward the money changers and those selling animals for offerings is a strong indication of how sacred the place of worship is to him. It does not have to be adorned with jewels, precious stones, or very expensive materials. It simply needs to be well-maintained and treated with great care and respect, in a way that helps uplift people’s hearts and minds toward prayer. This also includes how Masses and other prayers are celebrated, with proper reverence and without unnecessary distractions.
Jesus also spoke of the Temple of his Body. Indeed, if we truly believe that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, then we must also treat our bodies with great care and respect and live out the teachings of the Gospel.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for establishing your Church and entrusting its care to the apostles, with St. Peter entrusted with a special role of leadership. May we always cherish and care for your Church. Amen.
