Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily from Friday, Nov. 23, 2018

“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” Lk 19:45-48. Jesus was very particular in the way people conducted their affairs while in church. Jesus was so offended and hurt when He saw the merchants do their business inside the temple and convert it into a market place. Because of this, He ejected them and called them thieves. When our churches lose their identity as God’s body because of what we as members do, or have failed to do, then we become like the merchants and the money changers in the temple. We take care only of our own business in utter disregard of the true purpose of God’s church. We fail to live up to our calling as God’s creations who were made to give praise and worship to God, to love Him above all and our neighbor as ourselves. As the body of Christ and members of His Church we can desecrate God’s Body. By sowing confusion, by misleading people from what our Lord really wants for His flock, by simply leading a sinful life- we become thieves within God’s very own Body as we rob God of what is rightfully His and make ourselves gods! Watch out!  We unknowingly might lose what God has given all of us- His Church and the never-ending life of joy and peace that awaits all of us. Shalom!