For many, religion and our belief in God has become something we state in a document or form. It is what we practice on Sundays, but it is not truly our purpose on which we live out. Our religion has inadvertently become the things we prioritise and consume most of. We may not realise it, but for some, their religion is the pursuit of material wealth.

How often too do we find ourselves glued to technology? What is the first thing we do when we wake up? Is it to pray, or is it to check the notifications on our phone? Has the world become more important that it’s maker?

Bad habits like these can be consuming and detrimental to both our personal and spiritual life. We may lose direction of what is truly important and get lost in worldly endeavours.

In this Sunday's readings, we see the people flouting the Law of Moses and blaspheming God by desecrating His holy temple, turning it into a marketplace. Reflecting on ourselves, how often have we prioritised worldly matters ahead of Christ? How often have we allowed our vices to master us?

St Paul teaches us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So just as Jesus chased out the merchants and money-lenders, so too must we cleanse our bodies from all that hinders us from experiencing the fullness of Christ. We need to overcome our ego and the pursuit of material pleasures to recognise the values that bring us back to Him.

"Oh, God, to know you is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise you is the soul's joy and delight. Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all times, forever. Amen." St Augustine.

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