Homily for the Memorial of St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and His Companions

While we have only a few stories about Jesus' early life, we know that the last three years of his time on earth were a whirlwind of activity. Today's Gospel is just one example of the passion and fire that Jesus exhibited throughout his life, especially during his visits to Jerusalem.

In this passage, Jesus confronts the pillars of society and shows his righteous anger at their corrupt use of the Temple for their own ends. At the same time, he speaks up for the marginalized and the oppressed, those whom the pillars of society look down upon.

Jesus' ministry was short, but he used every moment to disrupt the status quo and challenge the powerful. His message of love and compassion was a threat to those who wanted to maintain their grip on power, and so they sought to silence him.

As we continue to spread the Good News of the Gospel, we too will face opposition and conflict. But we must never waver in our commitment to live out the message of Jesus, to stand up for the marginalized, and to challenge those who abuse their power. Let us be bold like Jesus, using our words and actions to bring about lasting change in the world.