Gospel: November 9, 2024

Dedication of the Latern Basilica in Rome

Psalter: Proper / (White)

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.

1st Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17

Gospel: John 2: 13-22

As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple court, together with the oxen and sheep.

He knocked over the tables of the money changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, “Take all this away, and stop making a marketplace of my Father’s house!” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your house devours me like fire.

The Jews then questioned Jesus, “Where are the miraculous signs which give you the right to do this?” And Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then replied, “The building of this temple has already taken 46 years, and will you raise it up in three days?”

Actually, Jesus was referring to the temple of his body. Only when he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

Reflection:

“Jesus’ offering of his life”

See Also

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Today’s Gospel narrates the cleansing of the Temple of Jerusalem by Jesus. The event of the cleansing of the Temple is reported by all the four evangelists (Mk 11:15-19; Mt 21:12-17; Lk 19:45-48; Jn 2:13- 16).

While the Synoptic Gospels put the event of the cleansing of the Temple toward the end of their respective Gospels, the Johannine account is found at the beginning.

The Gospel for today is taken from the Gospel of John. We may reflect on the point that the Gospel of John placed the event prominently at the beginning, highlighting the association of the Temple with Jesus’ body. Jesus’ physical body would be destroyed and be rebuilt after three days.

In John’s Gospel, the community of disciples that eventually became the Church was born while Jesus was hanging on the cross. The offering of the life of Jesus, therefore, is the very foundation of the Church, which is the people of God. We are reminded of Jesus’ offering of his life whenever we enter a church.