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Fr. Dave Heney

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Gospel Reflections for November 9 2025: St. John Lateran

November 7, 2025 By Father Dave 3 Comments

Gospel Reflections for November 9 2025

Gospel for November 9 2025 – Luke 20:27-38

Gospel Reflections for November 9 2025

May the waters never stop!

The first reading has a compelling image of a massive flood of water pouring out in all directions from the Temple in Jerusalem. This is good news? 

When I see anything like that at St. Bruno I call a plumber! But here the image is a positive metaphor for God’s abundantly flowing grace. Unlike the plumbing problem of a parish, when this grace flows …you never want it to stop!

In the Gospel, Jesus is walking near this same Temple in Jerusalem, but He sees people there who actually are stopping that life-giving flow of Grace. Jewish people were expected to make offerings to the temple, but they could not use Roman coins. Tables were set up outside the prayer area to make these important exchanges between Roman and Jewish coins. 

However, the money changers had expanded their normal area of commerce and moved into areas of the temple normally reserved for prayer and quiet contemplation. They are in the wrong place, and ignoring what that Temple area is for. 

Jesus sees that and strongly removes them in a dramatic display of His own divine authority. He will not tolerate a contradictory message about such an important holy place, and is certainly not shy about doing so.

What can you learn from His powerful example? Think about what is intruding in your life that should not be there? Is it too much internet? Too much gossip? Too much anger? Too much road rage? Too much intolerance? These behaviors have no place in your life …which Our Lord affirms is a sacred place! 

This Gospel affirms your need to take care of your spiritual life carefully and safeguard it against any intrusive sinful impulses that seek to destroy it. Now is the time to follow the example of Jesus and swiftly overturn those intrusive distractions. 

I am sure you know the usual distractions you have every day. Do not think tomorrow will be magically different! Anticipate your usual temptations first thing every morning and you will be ready to ignore and stop them. 

The first reading today describes an overflow of grace that comes from Our Lord to those who ask for it. I hope that is your prayer today. 

You never want anything to stop it!

God Bless!

Fr. Dave

Fr. Dave Heney - DaveHeney.com

Filed Under: Gospel Reflections

About Father Dave

Fr. Dave Heney was ordained a parish priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1978. In 1991 he received a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from the University of Southern California. He has authored three books and founded The University Series, a Lenten adult education program. Currently he is Pastor of St. Bruno Catholic Church in Whittier, California. Learn more about Fr. Dave >>

Comments

  1. Franca and Dick Dornan says

    November 8, 2025 at 1:20 pm

    Love your insightful interpretation!! love the overflow of grace given to us!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee our Jesus’ actions!!We must live His love and face all adversities with His grace!!! Thank you Father Dave for being such a precious priest and leading us to Heaven!!!So happy you were born for you make the world so beautiful in our loving Jesus and our Blessed Mother’s loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick

    Reply
  2. Kathleen says

    November 9, 2025 at 5:53 am

    Dear Father Dave,

    Thank you for this reflection.

    Jesus was stern in His response to the money changers, demonstrating that there is a time and place for everything! This message frequently resonated in my life during my growing up years.

    God bless you….

    Kathleen

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      November 15, 2025 at 10:45 am

      Glad it helped!

      Reply

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