House of Prayer – Luke 19:45-48 Reflection
As a business owner, I have witnessed the actions of a den of robbers where greed surfaces. While not obvious throughout scripture, Jesus asks us to consider the more subtle dens. These can include situations such as groups of gossipers we all hear. In light of this one subtly, we can imagine other types of dens less threatening than the dens of robbers. The truth is that it is possible that without realizing it, we can be in one of these dens. However, we can become watchful by letting the temple of ourselves be a house of prayer. It is hard sometimes to remember that we are always on sacred ground, and our heart is Jesus’s temple. Our responsibility is to steer clear of those things that rob us of our sacredness and instead approach holiness. Occasionally, we need to be bold like Jesus. We can be prepared by praying for how to handle the contradictory voices, such as people upset because of our beliefs.
The Merchants Chased from the Temple by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 19:45-48 – Scripture*
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; 46 and he said, “It is written,
‘My house shall be a house of prayer’;
but you have made it a den of robbers.”
Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 19:45-48 Reflection – House of Prayer.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 19 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: House of Prayer
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.