Things to talk about:

• What do you think the people in the temple thought of Jesus reacting the way he did?
• What do you do when you feel angry or misunderstood?
• Righteous anger is when our anger causes us to challenge something that is not right, but it is not about hurting someone. What could righteous anger look like today?
• What does it mean to you to be part of the Church? A part of the body of Christ?

Things to do:

• November 9, we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome.  The basilica/church represents the Pope and the People of God. Read more… Take a virtual tour of the Basilica. What is the name of the cathedral for Atlanta? Who are our bishops?
• Complete the crossword puzzle to learn more about John’s Gospel.
• Dorothy Day said, “I really only love God as much as the person I love the least.” Research Servant of God Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement. What does this quote mean to you? What inspires you about this almost Saint?
• The word “corporal” is from the Latin word for body. The small square linen cloth placed on the altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist is a corporal, and is used to collect any fragments from the Eucharistic body of Christ during the Mass. At Mass today, note when the corporal is placed on the altar and when it is removed.
• Start a Thankful Turkey, read more…

Closing Prayer

Reflect on this Scripture, what is God calling you to focus on today? 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17

Brothers and sisters: You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

The story is composed of two parts, Jesus’ action in the Temple and Jesus’ predictions about the Temple’s destruction. The time of year is the sacred feast of Passover. Many pilgrims were there and it was necessary for the sacrificial rituals to sell cattle and to change the unclean Roman money. By denouncing this, Jesus cuts to the core of the Temple cult.

Many point to Jesus’ anger as insight to his humanity; but the powerful point of John’s entire Gospel is that the Word became flesh. As a human being, he can claim the authority of God.

Today’s feast celebrates what it means to be part of the Body of Christ, part of the Church. A cathedral is the home church of a bishop. The Basilica of St John Lateran is the cathedral for the Bishop of Rome, AKA, the Pope. It has a very interesting history, but the point is we, His people are dwelling places of God.

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Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection