YEAR B: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER

BY:Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mk.11:11-26) Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

In the day’s Gospel Jesus expressed His anger against those money changers and vendors disrespecting the temple. It was not the business which He was angry of. He saw that they were conducting immoral and abusive business. Pilgrims and even local Jews were taken advantage.

The temple is a place of prayer. While God is everywhere and prayer maybe done in other places, a designated place should be given respect. To immorally conduct business in the temple where Jews perform their rituals and services is a big irony. Sin and holiness cannot exist together.

It was the aim of Jesus to teach the people never to allow sin to co-exist with sanctity. Prayer is a sanctifying act. The house of prayer can not tolerate sin. It was a great disrespect by those money changers and vendors to conduct immoral business where God meets His people. It is not actually the place which is at issue here. It is the activity being held in the place. For what are stones, chairs, altars, candles, and other things for if nobody goes there to pray? The sacred is in the encounter between God and man. It becomes more sacred when many gather to commune with God.

Respect for the temple should always be maintained. Decorum and proper attires, though not the main reason, are part of that respect. Businesses should be given proper places and monitored to operate with honesty and justice. They should be in the service of the people.