Gospel Thought for Today
19th November: Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Luke 19:45-48
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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection:
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
Paulino was often called Sacristan by his peers. Indeed, during his youth he served as a sacristan to Fr Fidel, his older brother. His love for Christ grew in such a way that he served in various ministries in the parish: first Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, first Jefe (Chief) of the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina (Philippine Night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament), Mass reader, and a Special Minister of Holy Communion. Even when he was already a doctor, he would still serve as sacristan at Mass presided by Fr Fidel. He also inspired his children and grandchildren to actively participate in the sacred liturgy. When the parish needed a bigger church to accommodate the growing population, he and his wife Pilar led the people in raising funds for this project. In his own way, he mirrored Jesus’ zeal for the Temple, God’s House. We too have a part to play in building up God’s House, not just the physical bricks and mortar, but more so the people from all walks of life who “are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5).
- How can you contribute to building up the Church?
- How does your participation in the Mass make you a better person?
- How can you mirror Christ’s zeal for God’s House?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Consume our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit that we may live and serve in Your Church where You are ever present. Amen.
