Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 33rd Week in Ordinary time – Friday – Luke 19:45-48

While the people shouted with joyous acclaim as Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Christ was moved to great sorrow; He weeps as He prophesizes the coming destruction of the Temple and the slaughter of multitudes of Jews (in 70 A.D. Christ’s prediction comes true when over 1 million Jews were slaughtered by the Romans to put down a rebellion).  As He enters the Temple, Christ finds the Temple corrupt as foretold 500 years earlier (Mal 3:1-2).

Due to the growing number of Jewish pilgrims, it had become “big business” to provide animals and exchange foreign currency for the Temple tax; the priests and many men profited from the lucrative business. At some point, perhaps for convenience or greed, the chief priests had permitted buying and selling to be allowed inside the Temple in the outer court. Christ’s love of His “Father’s house” was strong from an early age (Luke 2:41-52) and He is moved to righteous anger over the desecration of His Father’s house. He forcefully drives out the business men from the large outer court area (acres!), rightfully calling them “thieves” (Jer 7:11).

Christ then defends the Temple from further sacrilege. He condemns the corruption of Israel for failing to offer worthy prayer (Isa 56:7) and desecrating His Temple. The Jewish leaders who have profited from the corrupt Temple commerce scheme conspire to kill Jesus but are afraid to take action because the crowd “hung on His words.”

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ defends His Father’s house.  Son of Man, Christ courageously clears out a large hostile crowd of “robbers” from the acres-large outer Temple area; His physical presence and righteous anger was powerfully intimidating. Divine Prophet, Christ echoes both Isaiah and Jeremiah, saying the words He inspired them to write.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) The outer Temple area was large (acres) and filled with cut-throat merchants (robbers) who had much to lose. Marvel at Christ’s intimidating persona and physical presence that intimidates a large group of very resistant men to vacate the Temple court.

2) Like the Temple worship at Jesus’ time, many priests and people today offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in a casual way that insults God’s zealous desire for worthy worship. Make a commitment to go to parishes where the Mass is offered with profound awe and to learn to give God your best in the Mass.

3) In the tsunami of the anti-Catholic/religion culture, many Catholic men are failing to instill a love of the Father’s house.” Recall, despite the arduous journey (60+ miles by foot), Joseph diligently brought Jesus to the Temple (probably multiple times per year), helping instill a love of the Father. Pray for Christ to give you the strength to bring your children and many souls to Him.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ

Virtue of the Day – Faith

Corporal Work of Mercy – To visit the sick

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To forgive all injuries