“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

Prayer purifies us, reading instructs us. ... If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us. - St. Isidore of Seville

Gospel Text: (LK 19:45-48)
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.

Is my home a house of prayer?

There certainly are “thieves” that we sometimes let in that take us down a very different road from one of prayer. We too often offer a litany of excuses instead of a litany of prayer.

We are too busy…

We are too tired…

We are too frustrated…

We are too angry…

We are too bored…

We are too everything to pray!

But all of those times are exactly when we should stop. Take a deep breath. And pray. We can say thanks for a life that is busy and fulfilled. We can ask for help when we become overwhelmed with work and commitments. We can ask God to help us deal with our frustration and to defuse any anger. We can take a minute to pray for someone else when we are feeling bored or restless. We can reach out to someone who needs an ear or a friendly hello.

When we let those “thieves” of frustration; anger and irritation into our house of prayer, we are actually stealing from ourselves.

Here is the alternative; we can drive the “thieves” out!

Today, I challenge you to “overturn the tables” of vice within your own heart. Drive sin out of your soul and restore the beauty of the Body of Christ by giving our Lord a true home in your heart. Make time for prayer. Make time for the Sacraments. Love one another as Christ has loved you.