Daily Mass Readings – Friday, 19 November 2027

36 Then Judas, and his brethren said: Behold our enemies are discomfited: let us go up now to cleanse the holy places and to repair them.

37 And all the army assembled together, and they went up into mount Sion.

52 And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month of Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year.

53 And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made.

54 According to the time, and according to the day wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and cymbals.

55 And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored, and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them.

56 And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise.

57 And they adorned the front of the temple with crowns of gold, and escutcheons, and they renewed the gates, and the chambers, and hanged doors upon them.

58 And there was exceeding great joy among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.

59 And Judas, and his brethren, and all the church of Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar should be kept in its season from year to year for eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, with joy and gladness.

R. (13b) We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

10bcd Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of Israel, our father from eternity to eternity.

R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

11abc Thine, O Lord, is magnificence, and power, and glory, and victory: and to thee is praise: for all that is in heaven, and in earth, is thine.

R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

11d Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art above all princes.

12a Thine are riches, and thine is glory.

R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

12bcd Thou hast dominion over all, in thy hand is power and might: in thy hand greatness, and the empire of all things.

R. We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

27 My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

45 And entering into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought.

46 Saying to them: It is written: My house is the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves.

47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. And the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people sought to destroy him:

48 And they found not what to do to him: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

The people of Israel respond to the cleansing of the temple by restoring it with sacrifice, song, and great joy. What had been defiled is once again set apart for the worship of God. Their celebration is rooted in gratitude: the Lord has given them victory, and they recognize that magnificence, power, and glory belong to him.

When Jesus enters the temple, he acts with the same holy concern. God’s house is meant to be a house of prayer, a place where hearts turn toward the Lord, not a place where worship is displaced by self-interest. Then Jesus teaches there, and the people listen attentively. These scenes together show that renewal begins when what belongs to God is returned to him. Christ cleanses, teaches, and gathers a listening people; his sheep know his voice and follow him. We can bring that same honesty to prayer, allowing him to uncover whatever has crowded out reverence, trust, or generous love. The Lord does not cleanse us to leave us empty, but to make our lives places where praise can rise again with joy.

Lord God, all that is good and glorious belongs to you. Enter the hidden places of my heart and cleanse whatever has taken the place of prayer, truth, and love. Give me the humility to receive your correction and the attention to hear the voice of Jesus. Teach me to follow him faithfully, especially when his word asks for change. Restore in me a spirit of grateful worship, so that my life may honor you in quiet choices, generous service, and joyful praise. May your presence dwell in me and make me faithful to you. Amen.