“You are God’s building… and the Spirit of God dwells in you.” — 1 Corinthians 3:16

 

📖 Readings for November 9, 2025

First Reading – Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

“He led me back to the entrance of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple… Wherever the river flows, there shall be living creatures; the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade.” USCCB+2Catholic Online+2

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9

R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in distress. Therefore we will not fear…” USCCB+1

Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17

“You are God’s building. For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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 them — for the temple of God is holy.” Catholic Online+1

Gospel – John 2:13-22

“When the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area money-changers… He said, ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple; will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the temple of his body. When he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this…” Catholic Daily Readings+1

---

🌟 Verse of the Day

“You are God’s building… and the Spirit of God dwells in you.” — 1 Corinthians 3:16

---

✨ Reflection

Today’s readings invite us into a deeper sense of belonging — not only to a church building, but as the living temple of God, as the river of life flows through us. Ezekiel’s vision of the temple and its life-giving water reminds us that God intends to bring refreshment, renewal and growth wherever we are. The psalm assures us: God is our refuge, even in upheaval. And Paul speaks plainly: our lives matter, our bodies are holy because the Spirit dwells in us.

What does this mean for our daily life? It means that every action, every word, every relationship becomes sacred because we carry God’s presence. It means that instead of looking for God only in “special places,” we recognise Him in our homes, our streets, our nation — even in the storms. The call is to live as that temple of God: caring for one another, healing what is broken, and being channels of the life that flows from Christ.

As we face uncertainty, disasters, rising fear, or the temptation to despair, these readings give hope: the river still flows; the temple still stands; the Spirit still dwells. Let us respond by living with dignity, unity, and peace.

---

💭 Practical Applications

1. See your body as God’s temple. Treat yourself and others with respect, kindness and love.

2. Be a conduit of life. Like the river in Ezekiel, bring refreshment: encourage someone, bring hope, offer help.

3. Find refuge in God in storms. When fear comes (as may in our land with calamities), turn to the Lord who is strength.

4. Live with responsibility. If we are God’s building, our choices matter: nurture the community, protect creation, love our country.

---

🙏 Morning Prayer for the Reader

Loving Father,
Thank You for this morning and for the promise that Your life flows into our lives. Help me today to remember that I am a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit — worthy, cherished, and called to serve.

For our beloved Philippines, especially those facing danger from storms or calamities: protect our people, shore up our resilience, heal the broken-hearted, and comfort the afflicted. Let Your river of grace flow through our communities — bringing help, hope and restoration.

Grant our young people humility, faith and grounding in You. Keep them safe, give them purpose, and let them know their bodies and hearts are precious in Your sight.

For the victims of recent disasters in places like Cebu and elsewhere: be their refuge, their healing, their strength. Provide for their needs, gather them in Your peace, and empower us to be agents of Your care.

May the temple of God that you build in each of us stand firm today. May Your Spirit guide our actions, our words, our thoughts. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.