A family of four embarked on a ten-day cruise, carrying with them a staggering 13 bags. As they prepared to board the ship, the absent-minded husband suddenly exclaimed, “I forgot to bring the white bag from the main table!” Annoyed by the abundance of luggage, his wife retorted, “Thirteen bags are already more than enough! Why do you need another one?”
Our Sense of Sacred
The husband sheepishly replied, “Well… our passports and cruise tickets are in that white bag!” This amusing scenario highlights a deeper truth: in life, we often miss what truly matters. Are we, in our spiritual journeys, neglecting to bring along the "white bag" of holiness and sacredness? Have we lost the "Sense of the Sacred" that should guide our lives?
The Gospel presents a striking example of this loss. The Temple of Jerusalem, a revered place of worship, had become a marketplace, tarnished by irreverence. Jesus, driven by righteous zeal, cleanses the temple, restoring its sacredness. His actions invite us to examine ourselves: Is our worship of God genuine, or has it become mechanical and empty? Are our words in prayer or preaching rooted in conviction, or do they lack authenticity? If our answers reveal shortcomings, we may be neglecting the sacredness that should animate our faith. Perhaps, like the white bag in the story, the "bag of holiness" is missing from our spiritual journey.
Being Worn Down
For the Israelites, the Jerusalem Temple symbolized their ultimate devotion to God. During Passover, Jews from far and wide gathered there to offer sacrifices. Since many traveled long distances, sacrificial animals and currency exchanges were provided for their convenience. However, where profit arises, corruption often follows. Over time, vendors exploited pilgrims, charging excessive rates for offerings and money exchange. These abuses defiled the temple, overshadowing its purpose as a house of prayer.
The erosion of the sacred begins subtly, often in small ways. A neglected prayer here, an act of indifference there—these habits, left unchecked, dull our spiritual senses. Over time, relationships lose their depth, worship becomes perfunctory, and the Eucharist loses its profound meaning. The world today faces many distractions: media, advertisements, and technology, which often promote immorality and erode ethical values. Even families struggle, as love and unity are replaced by discord. Our own bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit, are sometimes treated without reverence, leading to harmful habits.
Reclaiming the Sacred
Jesus’ cleansing of the temple reminds us of the courage required to reclaim the sacred. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who took bold steps of faith. Noah built the ark despite ridicule. Abraham left his homeland to follow God’s promise. Moses defied Pharaoh to lead his people to freedom. Peter left his nets behind to follow Christ. Each of them trusted God and bore witness to His faithfulness.
We too are called to take risks for our faith. Are we willing to trust God in uncertain times? Can we step out in faith, knowing He walks beside us? The cleansing of the temple urges us to rediscover the sacred in our lives. Let us not neglect the "white bag" of holiness and sacredness, for within it lies the key, our ticket, to eternal life.
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
