The Feast of St Andrew Dan-Lac and Companions | Friday 24 November 2023

Today is Friday the 24th of November, the feast of St Andrew Dun-Lac and companions, in the 33rd week of Ordinary time.

As we enter into prayer today with the song, ‘Graves Into Gardens’, become aware of the presence of the Lord that is here with you now.


I searched the world
But it couldn't fill me
Man's empty praise
And treasures that fade
Are never enough
Then You came along
And put me back together
And every desire
Is now satisfied
Here in Your love
Oh, there's nothing better than You
There's nothing better than You
Lord, there's nothing
Nothing is better than You
(Oh, yes I know it's true)
I'm not afraid
To show You my weakness
My failures and flaws
Lord, You've seen 'em all
And You still call me friend
'Cause the God of the mountain
Is the God of the valley
There's not a place
Your mercy and grace
Won't find me again
Oh, there's nothing better than You
There's nothing better than You
Lord, there's nothing
Nothing is better than You
(I know it's true)
Oh, there's nothing better than You
There's nothing better than You
Lord, there's nothing
Nothing is better than You
You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can
You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can
You turn graves into garden
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can
You're the only one who can




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.


Luke 19:45-48

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, ‘It is written,
“My house shall be a house of prayer”;
but you have made it a den of robbers.’
Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

In today’s reading we watch Jesus as he enters the temple in Jerusalem, driving out those who were selling things there. He says, ‘It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.”

As we hear this accusation, we might ask ourselves, ‘Is there anything in my life that hinders my prayer life, or distracts from my love of God? Perhaps something that Jesus longs to drive out?'

We hear that every day after this, Jesus was teaching in the Temple, and people were spellbound by what they heard.

Driving out those who defiled the temple and drawing in those who wanted to listen to him.


Can you imagine being drawn into this place with Jesus? What is it like to be there with him, as you listen to his teaching?

As you listen to the reading again, picture the shadows of those in the background, of those who were looking for a way to kill Jesus.

There has been much activity in our short reading. What has most struck you about this scene as you’ve visited it today?

Take a moment to share your thoughts with the Lord as you come to the end of this time of prayer.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.