The readings of today depict the significance of the temple of God and its altar of sacrifice. In the first reading, Judas and his brothers cleanse the sanctuary and dedicated the altar.  They offered sacrifices as the law directed them on the new altar. They sang songs of praise with harps, lutes and cymbals. In the gospel, the people in Jesus’ time failed to realise the significance and the efficacy of the temple of God as a house of prayer and an encounter with God. They desecrated the house of God and turned it into a place for business. St Andrew Dung-Lac and companions knew the power of the presence of God not only in the church or at the altar but even among them. During the severe persecution of their time, they were asked to apostatize by trampling on the crucifix.  Though one could say “common crucifix,” – a wooden article. But they audaciously refused to apostatize knowing full well that the crucifix has become a sacramental carrying the image of the crucified Christ, a symbol of their Christian faith and a sign of victory.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, give me the consciousness to understand and appreciate your presence in the church and see it as a house of prayer and encounter with you. Amen