

Vincentian Spirituality
Gospel Reading
November 9, 2025
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
John 2:13-22
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
Vincentian Reflection
In this Gospel we see the anger of Jesus, not just a little anger, but a violent outburst of anger. He made a whip out of cords! This act seems so utterly out of character for the person of Jesus, who before this time had often been accused of being too easy on sinners. Indeed, he had invited them into his innermost circles and offered His mercy and blessings to them. But this day was different, because the money-changers actions took place in His Father’s house – in the temple, which we are reminded, represents the body of Christ Himself.
Vincentian Meditation
As Vincentians, we encounter Christ regularly on our home visits, and when we do, we should encounter Him unencumbered by material attachments; we should not desecrate the temple of the Father seated before us by reducing the encounter to a math problem (do we have enough to pay the bill?) rather than a sharing, foremost, of God’s love through our selfless and humble service.
Consider
What are the signs of hope that you see in today’s world?
Prayer
Jesus, our hope,
-guide us in our decisions.
Jesus, our hope,
-guard us in our choices.
Jesus, our hope,
-root us in your words.
Amen
