(11/9/2025) John 2,13-22; Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Sharing Guidelines

*Sharing is not a time for teaching or debate; it is a time to sense the marvelous work of the Holy Spirit who leads the gathering.
*Reflection sharing is not meant to teach others but to share the meaning you personally have discovered. Therefore, do not criticize or debate another person’s sharing. Avoid boasting of your own understanding or knowledge.
*Respect the grace of the Holy Spirit, who reveals the meaning of the Word while dwelling among us, and listen attentively to others’ sharing, holding it in your heart.
*Keep confidential any personal reflections or stories shared in the group; practicing brotherly love means not passing along private matters outside the meeting.
*When speaking, always use the first person singular (“I”). Be careful not to distance or generalize your story by using the third person (“he,” “they”) or the first person plural (“we”).
*Keep it short.

Gospel

John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money-changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money-changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
“Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.

At this the Jews answered and said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said,
“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?”

But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.

Today’s Reflection

On Lay Sunday, I want to make an honest confession. I have lived with pride, vanity, and self-confidence in my heart. Today, I bring all of that before the Lord. I offer Him even the hidden wounds and weaknesses inside me.

Right now, I am suffering from a strange illness that doctors cannot clearly explain. After my first surgery, I felt light and thankful, trusting more in the Lord. But when I faced an unexpected result, many thoughts came to me. I realized how much I had pushed my body and how hard it had worked to keep me alive.

I used to be proud of my health and strength, but I now see that it was arrogance — trying to hide my weakness and forgetting that my body is a gift from God. I felt truly sorry to my body, and tears came from the pain of my own ignorance. I repented deeply. Even now, as I continue fighting this unclear illness, I say to my body every day, “I’m sorry. Thank you.” I also ask God for forgiveness and promise to take better care of the body He gave me.

Life is never smooth. There are always storms that shake everything. Only when we face those storms do we realize how precious our normal, simple days really are. That is where I am now.

All people are imperfect. We often dream of a better life and waste the present moment. St. Catherine once said, “Do not wait for time, because time will not wait for you.” Love must be practiced now, and this moment is the best time to forgive.

Some people think that a good faith life means studying the Bible or theology. That’s not wrong, but if we don’t first empty ourselves and fill our hearts with the Lord, it becomes only “knowledge,” not holiness. Then we might even use faith and prayer as tools to get what we want, instead of meeting God.

Through my sickness, I have learned that our souls can never be filled by anything from this world. Only God can fill that emptiness.

The Lord doesn’t want us to give up or fall down in our weakness. Even if we are tired or imperfect, He wants us to stay with Him and live in His peace. But many people keep running for success, fame, and pride — thinking it will make God happy. I used to be one of them.

No one lived God’s will as passionately as Jesus. He used every moment as a gift from the Father. He was never bored, anxious, or proud. He used His time only for love and service. That is why He is our greatest example.

Now, I dream of living like Jesus — not to show myself, but to show Him. I want to use my strength only to share His love and His message. I want to live for God’s dream, not mine. Even if I am hurt or misunderstood, I want to keep loving, just as Jesus did.

At the end of each day, I don’t want to come to God with regret, saying, “I have sinned again.” I want to say, “Lord, I tried hard to live like You today.” I hope to confess with joy that following Jesus and the saints — in faith and love — has been truly good and beautiful.

I pray that all Christians may be filled with the grace of Heaven and live with the joy of God’s Kingdom even here on earth.
(장재봉 스테파노 신부)

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Sharing:

1. Let’s share a word or phrase that touched your heart.

2. As we celebrate Lay Sunday, let’s think about what the mission of lay people means to you.
When was the happiest moment you served others in your faith life?
(If you haven’t had that experience yet, is there someone who helped you grow in faith — a good example of a lay person? What kind of person were they?)

3. Like the priest said in his reflection, sometimes we depend too much on our health, knowledge, or abilities and become proud. As lay people, what are some simple ways we can empty ourselves and fill our hearts with the Lord in our daily lives?

4. When Jesus cleansed the Temple, He showed us that our faith also needs to be cleansed.
What are the “things for sale” in your heart or life that block your relationship with God?
How can you let go of them and open your heart more to the Lord?