Sunday, November 9, 2025

Dear brother and sisters,

“Stop making my Father's house a marketplace.”

Too often, we witness behavior in the church chapel that falls short of the reverence in the house of God. Many enter without appropriate attire and ignore the guidelines intended to preserve the sanctity of this holy ground. Some disturb the sacred silence essential for prayer and devotion through loud conversations and dis-tracting behavior. Others chew gum, eat or drink, use their phones, or take pictures inside of the church chapel and even during solemn moments of worship. Some come seeking personal recognition or influence rather than humbly offering themselves for the glory of God.

This calls for a correction of heart and conduct, just as Jesus drove out the money changers and merchants when He entered the temple in Jerusalem during Passover. We, too, must remind one another that the church chapel is truly the house of God. It is a sacred space, set apart solely for prayer, worship, reverence, and com-munion with the Lord. Therefore, when entering the house of God, especially when passing before the Taber-nacle or approaching the Sanctuary, we are called to uphold the spiritual values of our Catholic tradition, to honor the true presence of Jesus Christ, and to reverence the sacred space where those around us are united in prayer and loving devotion.

“Stop making my Father's house a marketplace.”

We must also recognize the need for another kind of correction when many in today’s world fail to honor their own bodies as temples of the living God. Instead of safeguarding this sacred gift, some of us fall into harmful habits, addictive substances, and the pursuit of fleeting physical pleasures. Some engage in illegal acts, risky behaviors, and sexual immorality that not only endanger our well-being but also distort the beauty of our God-given nature, contradict our divine dignity, and reduce our bodies to mere instruments of gratification. Others are burdened by anxiety, depression, and the weight of daily struggles, which can lead us to despair, self-hatred, or even self-harm. In all this, we may forget that our physical bodies as vessels of grace to nurture the soul, to reflect the light of Christ, and to strive toward eternal reward. Accordingly, just as Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, we, too, are called to purify our bodies, to remove anything that dishonors God’s pres-ence within us, and to restore them as holy dwelling places for our God.

“Stop making my Father's house a marketplace.”

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!

Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.