Scripture Reflection and Prayer : Journeying together

Monday, 9 November 2026

RIGHT DOCTRINES GUIDE RIGHT BEHAVIOUR

20261110 RIGHT DOCTRINES GUIDE RIGHT BEHAVIOUR

10 November 2026, Tuesday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

First reading

Titus 2:1-8,11-14

You must preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine

It is for you to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy. Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking – they are to be the teachers of the right behaviour and show the younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they are to be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and do as their husbands tell them, so that the message of God is never disgraced. In the same way, you have got to persuade the younger men to be moderate and in everything you do make yourself an example to them of working for good: when you are teaching, be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us. You see, God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very ownand would have no ambition except to do good.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 36(37):3-4,18,23,27,29

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

If you trust in the Lord and do good,

then you will live in the land and be secure.

If you find your delight in the Lord,

he will grant your heart’s desire.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

He protects the lives of the upright,

their heritage will last for ever.

The Lord guides the steps of a man

and makes safe the path of one he loves.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Then turn away from evil and do good

and you shall have a home for ever;

The just shall inherit the land;

there they shall live for ever.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Mt4:4

Alleluia, alleluia!

Man does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 17:7-10

You are merely servants

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’

RIGHT DOCTRINES GUIDE RIGHT BEHAVIOUR

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Titus 2:1-8,11-14; Luke 17:7-10]

There are some people who wonder why some Catholics are so particular about understanding the teaching of the Church. Why can we not simply avoid squabbling over doctrines and live a life of charity? After all, what is important at the end of the day is how we live a life of love in our relationships with our fellowmen. In this simplistic view, it is true that what matters in the final analysis is whether we love others. However, love is more complicated than we think, because what we perceive as love might actually be self-serving. The word “love” is often used in a subjective manner with various meanings. Some reduce love to mere emotions and feelings, which means it is never stable or permanent, but left to the whims and fancies of each individual.

It is for this reason that St. Paul reminded Titus that he must “preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine.” Charity flows from our understanding of who we are–our identity and our ultimate destiny in life. Human rights, as endorsed by the United Nations, have a Christian foundation rooted in the dignity of the human person. Underlying this dignity is the fact that we are created in the image and likeness of God; hence, our dignity is inviolable regardless of whether we are considered useful to society or not. However, society does not always think this way. In many situations, human dignity seems to depend not on being created in God’s image, but on whether a person contributes to the community. This is the reason why the world has no qualms about abortion, the destruction of embryos resulting from IVF and social egg-freezing, euthanasia, and the killing of innocent people in senseless wars.

For us Christians, therefore, respect for others–regardless of race, language, religion, or utility–must be upheld because every person possesses an immortal soul and bears the imprint of God. Consequently, this presupposes that we have a right understanding of God. The Lord underscored this vital relationship between the love of God and neighbour when He said: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Mt 22:37-40)

Accordingly, our motivation in loving our fellowmen is inspired by the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His life up for us all. As today’s first reading says, “He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.” Christ has shown us the way by offering His life on the cross so that, freed from sin and reconciled with God, we might also be reconciled with our brothers and sisters. Following Jesus, we are called to do good with purity of motive. St. Peter says “that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:34-38)

What is equally important for us is that living a life of charity in truth is made possible by Christ, who has taught us how to live in selfless service, humility, compassion, and mercy. St. Paul wrote, “You see, God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus.” So Christ has not only come to show us the way–removing anything that does not give glory to God–but He also gives us His Holy Spirit so that, filled with the Spirit of love and power, we can do good. In all that we do, we must be directed by our final goal: to be reunited with Christ in His glory.

St. Paul provided guidelines on how everyone must conduct themselves in a way that gives glory to God and leads people to Him. This means that, as Christians, we must be fully engaged in this world. While Christian hope goes beyond this world, it is within this world that the Gospel must be preached so that all might know their identity and ultimate calling. Our witness depends on our credibility and our involvement in the affairs of the world. For this reason, Christians must live respectable lives in accordance with the will of God and the precepts of the Gospel. This was precisely St. Paul’s concern for the early Christian communities: they needed to live godly lives so that they could inspire faith in others.

However, this presents a great challenge: living in the world while not being of the world. While St. Paul mentioned that he would do everything to make the Gospel accessible to all–“To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings” (1 Cor 9:22-23)–this does not mean compromising the doctrines and teachings of Christ to make the Gospel more appealing to unbelievers, as some today might do. Christians must live within the world, but we must also realise that it is a fallen world; not everything in human culture is good, pure, and holy. The Gospel must purify culture whenever it strays from the will of God and the teaching of Christ. Responsible Christian living, therefore, must promote integral human development without compromising Christian values and doctrines.

It is within this context that we should read St. Paul’s exhortations regarding how older men and women, wives and husbands, and younger men and women should conduct themselves. Over time, human cultures have been purified by the Gospel so that today we possess equal respect for men and women, recognising that both have vital roles to play in the family, society, and the world. We are called to mutual respect and subjection–not in a slavish manner under an authoritarian structure, but in loving one another purely and selflessly. St. Paul’s advice remains valid today regarding living a dignified life: to be “moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy,” and to be mentors and “teachers of right behaviour.” Above all: “In everything you do, make yourself an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us.”

Finally, in all our conduct and service, we must bear in mind that we are servants of God tending His household. Our families, loved ones, and communities have been entrusted to us by God. We should not demand appreciation or gratitude, for we ought to already be grateful for our health and the resources we have to share. In serving others, we receive our reward because our lives gain meaning and we experience God’s love within us. This is why the Lord said, “Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.'” (Lk 17:9-10)

Of course, this does not mean we may take those who serve us for granted. We must also look after them as our own. Just as God looks after His servants, we too must pay special attention to those who assist us in our mission and work, ensuring their needs are met. They are not slaves, but our co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord, each living out a Christian vocation. Let us treat everyone with respect and charity. In doing so, we show ourselves to be exemplary Christians.

Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections

Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.

Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.

Sunday, 8 November 2026

A LIFE-GIVING CHURCH

20261109 A LIFE-GIVING CHURCH

09 November 2026, Monday, Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

First reading

Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12

Wherever the water flows, it will bring life and health

The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 45(46):2-3,5-6,8-9

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is for us a refuge and strength,

a helper close at hand, in time of distress,

so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,

though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within, it cannot be shaken;

God will help it at the dawning of the day.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

The Lord of hosts is with us:

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, consider the works of the Lord,

the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

Gospel Acclamation

2Ch7:16

Alleluia, alleluia!

I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord,

for my name to be there forever.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 2:13-22

Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will raise it up

Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers’ coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.’ Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. The Jews intervened and said, ‘What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?’ Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.

A LIFE-GIVING CHURCH

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [EZ 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1 COR 3:9-11,16-17; JN 2:13-22]

In the first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel envisaged the Temple as life-giving to all. We read how a stream under the Temple flowed out, and wherever the water flowed–even to the Arabah, where the Dead Sea is located and nothing could survive–the water became wholesome. “Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.”

Indeed, it is God’s hope that through the Temple, Israel would draw all nations–not just the Israelites–to worship Him. As Isaiah prophesied, “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.'” (Isa 2:3) Truly, Israel is called to be the light of the nations: “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Isa 42:6-7)

This is our role as the Church as well. We are called to be a sign and instrument of communion with God and unity among all peoples. The primary calling of the Church is to lead all people into union with God, which is the very foundation of human communion. This is why the Church is recognised as the Universal Sacrament of salvation and the sacrament of unity for the human race–she is the visible plan of God’s love for humanity. As the Church, therefore, we are called to be life-giving like the Temple of Jerusalem. Wherever the Church exists, we are called to radiate the light and love of Christ and to be the salt of the earth. Through the celebration of the seven sacraments, Catholics are nurtured with the divine life of God. Through worship, they become more closely united with the Lord, which in turn unites them with His Body, the Church, enabling them to be a potent force and witness in the world.

Yet, there is always the temptation toward narrow-mindedness. This was the case with the religious leaders during the time of our Lord.They were exclusive in their manner of worship, drawing a sharp divide between Jews and Gentiles. Only the Jews were considered the Chosen People of God, while Gentiles–even proselytes–were treated as second-class members. Considered impure, they were barred from the inner courts and restricted to worshipping in the Court of the Gentiles, the outermost courtyard. Worse still, worship was reduced to mere ritualistic sacrifice, devoid of meaning and sincerity. The priestly aristocracy controlling the Temple profiteered from the offerings, charging exorbitant fees for the animals required for sacrifice.

Such injustices–especially the exclusion and exploitation of the poor–prompted Jesus to react against the corruption of the Temple officials. Making a whip out of cords, He drove the merchants and money-changers out of the Temple, “cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money-changers’ coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market’.” The Temple was no longer life-giving as it was meant to be. It was no longer a sanctuary where people could seek forgiveness, be reconciled with God, worship in peace, and find God’s love. Instead, it was a mockery of what Moses had intended for sacrificial worship–no longer a true sacrifice of expiation and reconciliation.

Jesus, as the New Temple of God, came to restore the true dignity of the Temple. This explains why this incident took place near the feast of Passover. It was at Passover that Jesus would offer Himself–His body and blood–for the salvation of the world, becoming the ultimate sacrifice of reconciliation between humanity and God. When the authorities demanded to know by what authority He acted, “Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up’. The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead.” After His death, He rose again, and in the Spirit, came to dwell within us, transforming us into the Temple of God. As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “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 that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor 3:16-17)

With Jesus, the Old Temple has been replaced by the New Temple of God: His Body, the Church. As this New Temple, we are called to be life-giving in the Spirit. The Church today must continue the work of bringing life to all through the proclamation of the Good News in both word and deed. How can we achieve this? In the same letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul instructs: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:10-11)

The foundation for building the Temple of God must be Jesus Christ. Without strong faith in our Lord and values rooted in the Gospel, we cannot build the Church of Christ. As St. Paul reminds us, whether we are establishing a new community–as he did–or strengthening an existing one, we must remain grounded in Christ and His Gospel. As the Lord told Peter following his confession of faith: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18) Similarly, in St. John’s Gospel, Peter declares to our Lord: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68-69)

Of course, we also need the power of the Holy Spirit. St. John notes that “when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.” What Jesus said made sense only after His glorification, when the Holy Spirit was given to interpret His actions and words in light of the Scriptures. Jesus became the ultimate key to understanding the Old Testament. Significantly, the scriptural prophecies regarding the physical Temple were fulfilled historically as well: the Temple was destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans and was never rebuilt. Jesus truly is the New Temple of God.

Indeed, faith in Jesus as the Messiah–the river of living water who bestows the Holy Spirit–brings life and blessing to all who believe in Him. In turn, these blessings flow through believers to others. All renewal in the Church depends on God’s grace and blessings; it is not within human control, but is the power of God working in us. He alone brings restoration and renewal to our lives. Let us turn to Jesus in the Holy Spirit, asking Him to renew our faith. As the prophet Zechariah encouraged the returning Israelites when they grew discouraged in rebuilding the ruined Temple: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.” (Zech 4:6) The water flowing from the Temple symbolises the Holy Spirit active in the Church today. We can tell that our faith is grounded in Christ and the Holy Spirit when we are moved to step outside our churches and witness to His love in the world. A life-giving Church goes beyond mere maintenance or legalism; a Church alive in the Spirit is dynamic, empowering, and constantly drawing new souls to Christ.

Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections

Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.

Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.