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MAIN MESSAGE
[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass]
The Gospel story of Jesus cleansing the temple leads us to look into our own lives. At Baptism
we invite God to be Lord of our lives. But often our lives are filled with other things and God has no
place in our thoughts or hearts.
We look at the ways that we can ‘cleanse our temples’ and invite God back where he belongs.
We do this by ensuring that we keep aside time for prayer, both personal and family. Equally important,
we invite God into all our activities: our work and relaxation, eating and sleeping, shopping and
entertaining. A present day parable of a grandmother’s visit to her son’s house will help the children
understand the message and take it to heart.
INTRODUCTION:
Celebrant: Look at the poster. It asks a question. ‘Does God
have a place in your heart? That means, do you love him? Do
you talk to him, and listen to him? This is a very important
question, because your heart was made by God and for God. If
you have no place for God in your heart, today you can try and
change that.
LITURGY OF THE WORD:
Commentator: In the first reading God reminds us, ‘I am the
Lord your God.’ He has to be first in our lives. If we really love
him, we must obey his commandments.
First Reading: Exodus 20: 1-3, 7-8, 12-17.
Homily:
Celebrant: Did you listen to the Gospel? What did Jesus see when he entered the temple? [People
selling birds and animals; and moneychangers sitting at their tables.]
• What did he do when he saw this? [He made a whip and chased all of them out. He turned over the
moneychangers’ tables.]
• Do you think those people loved God? [Not much!] Then what did they love? [Money] That is why
Jesus got angry and chased them out. They should have been thinking of God in the temple, not about
making money.
• I would like to tell you a story that will help you understand what God wants from us.
The Pereira family had recently moved to a nice 3-bedroom flat in a fancy society. There was a
father, mother and two children, Rhea and Ryan. One day Daddy said, “We bought this lovely flat with
the money Granny gave us. Why don’t we invite her to spend some weeks with us?”
Everyone agreed and so that same day he phoned his mother and asked her to come. When
Granny arrived, everyone welcomed her at the door with hugs and kisses. They showed her the room they
had prepared for her. After dinner Granny opened her suitcase and out came gifts for each one.
“I’m so happy to be here with you all! Thank you for inviting me!” she said. “Ma, this is really
your house, so you shouldn’t thank us. You are always welcome here!” said Daddy.
The next day, Daddy and Mummy went off to work. Granny called out to Rhea, “Rhea, come and
sit with me for a little while. I have some photos to show you.” But Rhea, busy dressing up and doing her
hair called out, “Not now, Granny. I’m going to my friend’s house and then I’m going for dancing class.
I’ll see them tomorrow.”
So Granny called out to Ryan. “Baba, come here for a little while.” But Ryan was busy watching a
cricket match on TV. He turned the volume up high and pretended he couldn’t hear. Granny gave up. She
sat quietly in her room and said the rosary and then read a book.
When Mummy came home and went into the kitchen Granny said. “Can I help you? I can clean
the bhaji for you or cut onions.” “No Ma, I’m used to doing everything phataa-phat. You go and sit
quietly in your room and relax.”
At last Daddy came home. When she heard him come in, Granny thought, “I’m sure my son will
be happy to talk to me!” She ran to the door. “Hello son. How was your day? Can I make you a cup of
tea?” “No ma, I’m fine.” said Daddy and sat down next to Ryan who was still watching the match. The
sound was so loud that no one could talk to each other.
The next few days, it was the same story. No one had time to talk to Granny and no one wanted
her help. After a week, when everyone had gone out, Granny sat down and thought about it. “I don’t think
anyone really wants me here!” she thought. So she packed her suitcase and phoned for a taxi to take her
to the bus-station. Before she left she wrote a note to the family and put it on the table.
When the family came home, what a shock they got! There was no sign of Granny anywhere. All
her clothes were missing. Then the found the note. It said, “Dear children, Thank-you for inviting me to
your house. I am going away because I don’t think you really need me or want me. Goodbye! Granny.”
• Did you like the way the family treated Granny?... We often treat God in the same way! Just as the
family invited Granny, at our Baptism we invite God into our lives. And God comes.
• Just as the Pereira’s flat was a gift from Granny, your life came from God. It is right that God should
live in you, because he made you and he loves you.
• But after God comes to live in your heart, how do you treat him? Do you keep him in one corner and
forget all about him? Some families have a special altar for God. They put pictures and candles and
flowers. But after that they forget God. They carry on with their work, play, eating and sleeping,
watching TV and going for music class, dancing class, tutions…
• God doesn’t want to be kept in one corner, like Granny was kept in her room. He wants to be part of
your life. He wants us to take his help in everything we do.
• So how can we give God his rightful place?
Spend time with him everyday. Sit alone with him and talk to him and listen to him.
Sit with him as a family and pray to him together.
Ask his help whatever you are doing: studying, working, visiting.
Invite him into all your activities. That means, do what he asks. Suppose you want to watch a
movie, ask, “God should I watch now? Is this a movie you would like me to watch, or not?”
Listen in your heart, and obey.
APPROPRIATE HYMNS PREPARATION REQUIRED:
ENTRANCE: From the Rising of the Sun
OFFERTORY: Like a Sunflower • Practice the readings.
COMMUNION: Into My Heart… Into My Life • Make poster and put up.
RECESSIONAL: Praise Him… Love Him…