November 21, 2025 // Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 19:45-48
Reflect on the Word //
I stood in the fitting room, trying on new clothes. Item after item, they all fit a little snug.
How did I get here . . . again? I felt embarrassed and ashamed.
Returning home from that dreaded shopping trip, I went for a walk. As I made my way around the lake, I listened to a podcast of testimonials from women in Overeaters Anonymous. In their stories, I related to the lack of control, the obsession, the comfort seeking. They put words to my experience.
I knew my struggle with food stemmed from woundedness and pain, but that day, I realized it was also a sin of intemperance. And I needed Jesus “to drive out” (Luke 19:45) what was defiling my body, as well as my mind, my spirit, and so many aspects of my daily life. In the gentlest way, Jesus called me out for my bad habits, and at the same time, He invited me into something new, something better.
In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus driving out “those who were selling things” (Luke 19:45) in the temple. He disbands this activity, because it was distracting the pilgrims, defiling the holiness of the temple, and disrupting the purpose of that sacred place: union with God. Likewise, each of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and the deepest part of our soul is reserved for intimacy with God. However, when poor habits, such as overconsuming food or alcohol, excessive shopping, mindless scrolling, habitual gossip, or other forms of self-indulgence, settle into our temples, we tarnish the space that is meant for God alone.
My dear sister, if something is tarnishing your soul, allow the Lord to drive it out, so your “house of prayer” (Luke 19:46) may be cleansed and restored to the cherished space for God it was created to be. Run to the Sacrament of Confession, where your sins or attachments can be relinquished. And hang on to His every word in prayer, for He wants nothing to interfere with your union with Him (see Luke 19:48).
Relate to the Lord // Take a walk with the Lord today. Ask Him to help you make space for union with Him.
Sarah Damm is the blog manager and a writer for Blessed Is She. She also is a frequent contributor to other faith-based platforms. Residing in Minnesota with her husband and six children, Sarah was a stay-at-home mom for 21 years, until she returned to the workforce in 2023. Sarah enjoys attending her kids' volleyball, football, basketball, or baseball games (depending on the season). She loves her faith, coffee, walks with her husband, and good books. Read Sarah's posts here. You can find out more about her here.
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