Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection November 09, 2025
Sunday – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
09th November 2025 (Sunday)
Psalter: Proper
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
In those days: The angel brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. And he said to me, “This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 (R. 5)
R/. The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place, the dwelling of the Most High.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
Brethren: You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest, says the Lord.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: John 2:13-22
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Main Point: In a modern culture that is intensely ridden by secularity and profanity, we need to resurge the sense of the sacred
1. 09 November marks the anniversary of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the Mother and Head of all churches. This holy occasion calls us to turn our attention to the temple and holiness. All three readings point to this aspect. The temple of God is a holy place and we should conduct ourselves with reverence and dignity.
2. The first reading from Ezekiel through the symbolism of temple water indicates the greatness of the temple. It is the source of the water of God’s grace that enlivens, refreshes, nourishes, and heals everything it comes across.
3. Thus, the temple is not merely a place of worship, a place where we perform some religious ceremonies and activities. It is much more than that. It is the ambience of divine presence, guidance, and empowerment.
4. The temple is primarily where God reigns in all His holiness and greatness. Therefore, every time we are in the temple, we must experience this atmosphere of sacredness. Today, in the name of socialization or involvement, our churches seem to be reduced to gathering halls, function halls, cultural centres, stage management shows, et cetera.
5. Any such move that reduces the sense of the holy displeases God. It may invite the same wrath of God as in the case of Jesus cleansing the temple. The temple also signifies our own person, in the light of the second reading from 1 Corinthians 3. 9-11, 16-17. We must be always conscious that we ourselves are the holy temples of God because we carry His own image and the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
6. Therefore, all the traces of impurity and unholiness, wickedness, and negativities are nothing but desecration of the human temple of God. And all commotion and noise, all acts of commercialization, and mere socialization of our churches are turning the house of prayer into centres of trade.
My Practice: Loss of the sense of the sacred is not only a matter that pertains to religion. It leads to the loss of the basic sense of dignity and reverence toward life and human persons themselves.
