Preparatory Prayer (to put myself in God’s presence)

Christ, You are the new temple. You incarnated, went through the cross, and resurrected, all out of love for mankind, who turn the temple of our spirit into an unworthy place for Your holy presence. Grant me the grace to know how to cleanse my mind, my will, my conscience, and my behavior, so I may understand what You want from me and how I can love You better in the concrete circumstances of my life.

Gospel of the day (to guide your meditation)

From the holy Gospel according to Luke 19:45-48

That day Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and buying there, saying to them: “It is written: My house is a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Jesus taught daily in the temple. Meanwhile, the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people tried to kill Him, but they found no way to do it, because all the people were hanging on His words.

Word of the Lord.

 

Reflect on what God is saying to you in the Gospel (we suggest you read what the Pope said about this)

The exploiters, the merchants in the temple, also exploit the sacred place of God to do business: they exchange coins, sell animals for sacrifice, and among themselves, they become like a union to defend their interests.

This was not only tolerated but also permitted by the priests of the temple. They are the ones who turn religion into a business. The Bible tells the story of the sons of a priest who pushed people to give offerings and made a lot of money, even from the poor. And Jesus says: My house shall be called a house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves.

Thus, the people who went on pilgrimage there to ask for the Lord’s blessing, to make a sacrifice, were exploited. The priests there did not teach them to pray, they did not give catechesis… It was a den of thieves. I don’t know if it would do us good to think about whether something similar happens with us. I don’t know. It is using the things of God for personal gain. (Cf. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis, May 29, 2015, in Santa Marta).

 

Dialogue with Christ

This is the most important part of your prayer, prepare to speak with much love to the One who loves you.

Purpose

Set a personal one. The one that involves the most love in response to the Beloved… or, if you believe it is what God is asking of you, live what is suggested below.

At the end of the day, I will take stock to see if I am using my gifts and talents to glorify God or only to serve myself. If so, tomorrow I will strive to put those gifts at God’s service.

 

“Who are the upright of heart? Those who want what God wants […]. Do not want to twist God’s will to fit your own; instead, correct your will to fit God’s will.”

(St. Augustine, Commentaries on Psalm 93)