November 24, 2017 Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time-A ST. ANDREW DUNG-LAC, PRIEST, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59

Psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Luke 19:45-48

“…let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.”  1 Mac 4:36

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things… Lk. 19:45

Lord, we all have to do some housecleaning at times.   If we don’t our homes can become cluttered, things get lost in the disorder and we won’t have room for all the stuff we are buying on Black Friday!  The temple was cleaned up and restored by the Maccabees after its desecration by their enemies the Greeks. Years later, you cleaned out the money changers from the temple and restored it to be a house of prayer.  Both recognized that the temple was a place where God is worshiped and praised with thanksgiving.  Lord, if I don’t allow you to do some housecleaning in my heart it too can become cluttered and not a place to give you honor.  Come into my life like you entered the temple.  With your presence it can become a place pleasing to you and a place where you are welcome.   Purify the clutter of evil or apathy you find there and clean out anything that is not you.  Throw away my old selfish ways and cleanse me of pride.  I too want to become a house of prayer for you.  Amen.