Daily Archives: 21 November, 2025

House of prayer. Reflection for married couples. Luke 19:45-48

Gospel of the day

From the Gospel accoording to 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

House of prayer
In this passage the Lord quotes the prophet Isaiah: “My house shall be a house of prayer,” to show them how they had dishonoured the temple, turning it into a den of thieves who used it to enrich themselves. And those who should have recognised the Messiah in these words—those who had dedicated their entire lives to serving the temple—had hearts so hardened that all they sought was to destroy Him.
Lord, make our hearts gentle and humble like Yours.

Brought Down to Married Life

Andrew: Penelope, the Lord showed me in this Gospel the importance of being consistent in every moment of our lives. I imagine all those people of good will who came on pilgrimage to the temple—some from very far away—and then saw all those stalls selling animals for sacrifices. They must have been completely scandalised!
Penelope: I had never stopped to think about it, but yes, it must have been quite unpleasant. You know, the other day a friend pointed out to me that there are many people who seem very close to the Lord because they go to church and pray, but in reality they show no charity towards others—criticising and insulting constantly.
Andrew: I could jokingly reply, “Well, imagine what they’d be like if they didn’t pray.” But it’s a serious matter. We must be very careful with the example we give, because the Lord says elsewhere in the Gospel: “Woe to the one who causes one of these little ones to stumble.”
Penelope: We truly have to help one another and warn each other the moment we see ourselves weakening. We can rely on the grace of our sacrament of marriage—together we can do it.

Mother,

May we never be a cause of scandal for other marriages; may we remain attentive and listening to His words. Thank you, blessed Mother!