Friday 24 November 2023

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Today is Friday the 24th of November, the feast of St Andrew Dun-Lac and companions, in the 33rd week of Ordinary time.

As we enter into prayer today with the song, ‘Graves Into Gardens’, become aware of the presence of the Lord that is here with you now.

I searched the world

But it couldn't fill me

Man's empty praise

And treasures that fade

Are never enough

Then You came along

And put me back together

And every desire

Is now satisfied

Here in Your love

Oh, there's nothing better than You

There's nothing better than You

Lord, there's nothing

Nothing is better than You

(Oh, yes I know it's true)

I'm not afraid

To show You my weakness

My failures and flaws

Lord, You've seen 'em all

And You still call me friend

'Cause the God of the mountain

Is the God of the valley

There's not a place

Your mercy and grace

Won't find me again

Oh, there's nothing better than You

There's nothing better than You

Lord, there's nothing

Nothing is better than You

(I know it's true)

Oh, there's nothing better than You

There's nothing better than You

Lord, there's nothing

Nothing is better than You

You turn mourning to dancing

You give beauty for ashes

You turn shame into glory

You're the only one who can

You turn mourning to dancing

You give beauty for ashes

You turn shame into glory

You're the only one who can

You turn graves into garden

You turn bones into armies

You turn seas into highways

You're the only one who can

You're the only one who can

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 19:45-48

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; 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; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

In today’s reading we watch Jesus as he enters the temple in Jerusalem, driving out those who were selling things there. He says, ‘It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.”

As we hear this accusation, we might ask ourselves, ‘Is there anything in my life that hinders my prayer life, or distracts from my love of God? Perhaps something that Jesus longs to drive out?'

We hear that every day after this, Jesus was teaching in the Temple, and people were spellbound by what they heard.

Driving out those who defiled the temple and drawing in those who wanted to listen to him.

Can you imagine being drawn into this place with Jesus? What is it like to be there with him, as you listen to his teaching?

As you listen to the reading again, picture the shadows of those in the background, of those who were looking for a way to kill Jesus.

There has been much activity in our short reading. What has most struck you about this scene as you’ve visited it today?

Take a moment to share your thoughts with the Lord as you come to the end of this time of prayer.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.