Thirty-Third Friday of Ordinary Time

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, my house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

Just as Jesus drove out those who were selling things in the temple area, so must we drive out all those things that defile the temples of our souls. Our sins, imperfections, distractions, worldly possessions, and unhealthy relationships need to be thrust away from us if we wish to make room for God within our hearts. However, the Devil will be on the lookout for ways to enter our hearts and defile the temple of our souls. We must guard against him and be willing to suffer whatever might happen to us because of our desire to do God’s Will.

What are the people or things in our lives that defile the temple of our souls? How can we cleanse ourselves of these evil influences? What do we do to guard against the temptations of the Devil?

O Lord, let us hang upon your every word and not upon the evil influences of this world.

Amen.