OCTOBER 09, 2015 : FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 465

Reading 1JL 1:13-15; 2:1-2

Gird yourselves and weep, O priests!
wail, O ministers of the altar!
Come, spend the night in sackcloth,
O ministers of my God!
The house of your God is deprived
of offering and libation.
Proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the elders,
all who dwell in the land,
Into the house of the LORD, your God,
and cry to the LORD!

Alas, the day!
for near is the day of the LORD,
and it comes as ruin from the Almighty.

Blow the trumpet in Zion,
sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all who dwell in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming;
Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom,
a day of clouds and somberness!
Like dawn spreading over the mountains,
a people numerous and mighty!
Their like has not been from of old,
nor will it be after them,
even to the years of distant generations.

Responsorial PsalmPS 9:2-3, 6 AND 16, 8-9

R. (9) The Lord will judge the world with justice.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.
R. The Lord will judge the world with justice.
You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
their name you blotted out forever and ever.
The nations are sunk in the pit they have made;
in the snare they set, their foot is caught.
R. The Lord will judge the world with justice.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He judges the world with justice;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord will judge the world with justice.

AlleluiaJN 12:31B-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,
it roams through arid regions searching for rest
but, finding none, it says,
‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits
more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,
and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

www.usccb.org

Meditation: "If it is by the finger of God"

When danger lurks, what kind of protection do you seek? Jesus came to free us from the greatest danger of all - the corrupting force of evil which destroys us from within and makes us slaves to sin and Satan (John 8:34). Evil is not an impersonal force that just happens. It has a name and a face and it seeks to master every heart and soul on the face of the earth (1 Peter 5:8-9). Scripture identifies the Evil One by many names, 'Satan', 'Beelzebul - the 'prince of demons', the 'Devil', the 'Deceiver', the 'Father of Lies', and 'Lucifier', the fallen angel who broke rank with God and established his own army and kingdom in opposition to God. 

Jesus declared that he came to overthrow the power of Satan and his kingdom (John 12:31). Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battle with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). He overcame the Evil One through his obedience to the will of his Father.

Some of the Jewish leaders reacted vehemently to Jesus' healings and exorcisms and they opposed him with malicious slander. How could Jesus get the power and authority to release individuals from Satan's influence and control? They assumed that he had to be in league with Satan. They attributed his power to Satan rather than to God. Jesus answers their charge with two arguments. There were many exorcists in Palestine in Jesus' time. So Jesus retorted by saying that they also incriminate their own kin who cast out demons. If they condemn Jesus they also condemn themselves.

In his second argument Jesus asserts that no kingdom divided against itself can survive for long. We have witnessed enough civil wars in our own time to prove the destructive force at work here for the annihilation of whole peoples and their land. If Satan lends his power against his own forces then he is finished. Cyril of Alexandria, a 5th century church father explains the force of Jesus' argument:

Kingdoms are established by the fidelity of subjects and the obedience of those under the royal scepter. Houses are established when those who belong to them in no way whatsoever thwart one another but, on the contrary, agree in will and deed. I suppose it would establish the kingdom too of Beelzebub, had he determined to abstain from everything contrary to himself. How then does Satan cast out Satan? It follows then that devils do not depart from people on their own accord but retire unwillingly. “Satan,” he says, “does not fight with himself.” He does not rebuke his own servants. He does not permit himself to injure his own armor bearers. On the contrary, he helps his kingdom. “It remains for you to understand that I crush Satan by divine power.” [Commentary on Luke, Homily 80]

How can a strong person be defeated except by someone who is stronger? Jesus asserted his power and authority to cast out demons as a clear demonstration of the reign of God. Jesus' reference to the 'finger of God' points back to Moses' confrontation with Pharoah and his magicians who represented Satan and the kingdom of darkness (see Exodus 8:19). Jesus claims to be carrying on the tradition of Moses whose miracles freed the Israelites from bondage by the finger of God. God's power is clearly at work in the exorcisms which Jesus performed and they give evidence that God's kingdom has come.

What is the point of Jesus' grim story about a vacant house being occupied by an evil force? It is not enough to banish evil thoughts and habits from our lives. We must also fill the void with God who is the source of all that is good, wholesome, true, and life-giving for us. Augustine of Hippo said that our lives have a God-shaped void which only God can fill satisfactorily. If we attempt to leave it vacant or to fill it with something else, we will end up being in a worse state in the end. 

What do you fill the void in your life with? The Lord Jesus wants to fill our hearts and minds with the power of his life-giving word and healing love. Jesus makes it very clear that there are no neutral parties in this world. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. There are ultimately only two kingdoms which stand in opposition to one another - the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness which is under the rule of Satan. If we disobey God's word, we open to door to the power of sin and Satan. 

If we want to live in true freedom, then our "house" (the inner core of our true being) must be occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. The Lord assures us of his protection from spiritual harm and he gives us the help and strength we need to resist the devil and his lies (James 4:7). "Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways"(Psalm 91:9-11). Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and his word?

"Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and the master of my home. May there be nothing in my life that is not under your lordship."

www.dailyscripture.net

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, LUKE 11:15-26
(Joel 1:13-15, 2:1-2; Psalm 9)

KEY VERSE: "If it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (v 20). 
TO KNOW: When Jesus exorcised a man who was mute, he was accused of working miracles by the power of Beelzebul (Satan, a popular name for the master of demons). Jesus pointed out the absurdity of this accusation. It was self-defeating for Satan to allow his power to work against him. Jesus asked the people whether the Jewish exorcists were acting in God's or Satan's name when they drove out evil. If the people did not join Jesus in his opposition to the Evil One, they were assisting the adversary's attempt to destroy God's kingdom. Jesus warned them that when Satan had been driven out, they must strengthen their spiritual households. Otherwise, the Evil One would return, and their lives would be worse off than before. 
TO LOVE: Do I do my best to guard my household from evil?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, heal all the weak and sinful areas of my life. 

Optional Memorial of Denis, bishop and martyr and his companions 

Denis was the first Bishop of Paris. His success aroused the ire of local pagans, and he was imprisoned by the Roman governor. He was martyred in the persecutions of Valerius along with St. Rusticus and St. Eleutherius, who may have been his deacons. He was beheaded c.258 at Montmarte (mount of martyrs); his corpse was thrown in the Seine, but was recovered and buried by his converts. St. Genevieve built a basilica over his grave. His feast was added to the Roman Calendar in 1568 by Pope Saint Pius V, although it had been celebrated since 800. St. Denis is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated because their intercession is believed to be effective against various diseases..

Optional Memorial of John Leonardi, priest 

After ordination on 22 December 1572, John Leonardi worked with prisoners and the sick. His example attracted some young laymen to assist him, most of whom became priests themselves. This group formed the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God, a congregation of diocesan priests. The Clerks were confirmed in 1595 by Pope Clement VIII, but because of an unfounded accusation that John wanted to form the group for his personal advancement, he was exiled for most of the rest of his life. In 1579 John Leonardi formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for the purpose of spreading the faith, and published a compendium of Christian doctrine that remained in use until the 19th century. Because of this he is rightly looked upon as the founder of the Institute which is now called the Work of the Propagation of the Faith. He died at Rome in the year 1609 attending victims of the plague.

www.togetherwithgodsword.com

Friday 9 October 2015

FRI 9TH. St Denis and Cc. St John Leonardi. Day of penance.

Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2. The Lord will judge the world with justice—Ps 9A:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9. Luke 11:15-26.

Readings

The Lord’s power overcomes all evil.

It may be difficult for us to believe in the raw presence of evil as recounted in today’s gospel. Unless we have been present during an exorcism, being directly confronted by an evil spirit is unlikely to occur, but is still possible in other ways. Evil can be subtle and insidious, even craftily disguised as good, and seep into our lives. We are also aware of its catastrophic consequences on a grand scale in world events. Whether present in a small or large way, Satan and his cohorts are very real and their goal is our social, individual, physical, mental, and spiritual death.

Jesus cast out evil spirits to demonstrate God’s power. If his power and love and justice can do such things, what do we have to fear? Who are we not to trust him in our own battles against evil and the injustices in our lives? We may panic because God does not act fast enough for us, or intervene to expel the evil we struggle with. But justice will prevail. Our enemies will be ‘trapped by their own deeds’, and, like the psalmist, we will sing for joy again.

www.pray.com.au

MINUTE MEDITATIONS 

Friends in High Places

The saints share in God’s glory, for they are God’s new creation through Jesus Christ. This new creation radiates God’s glory, for God fills the saints with his grace. He shares his glory, his divine life, with those who are willing to receive it through the work and person of Jesus Christ.

— from Now What?

October 9
St. Denis and Companions
(d. 258?)

This martyr and patron of France is regarded as the first bishop of Paris. His popularity is due to a series of legends, especially those connecting him with the great abbey church of St. Denis in Paris. He was for a time confused with the writer now called Pseudo-Dionysius.

The best hypothesis contends that Denis was sent to Gaul from Rome in the third century and beheaded in the persecution under Emperor Valerius in 258.

According to one of the legends, after he was martyred on Montmartre (literally, "mountain of martyrs") in Paris, he carried his head to a village northeast of the city. St. Genevieve built a basilica over his tomb at the beginning of the sixth century.

Comment:

Again we have the case of a saint about whom almost nothing is known, yet one whose cult has been a vigorous part of the Church's history for centuries. We can only conclude that the deep impression the saint made on the people of his day reflected a life of unusual holiness. In all such cases, there are two fundamental facts: A great man gave his life for Christ, and the Church has never forgotten him—a human symbol of God's eternal mindfulness.

Quote:

"Martyrdom is part of the Church's nature since it manifests Christian death in its pure form, as the death of unrestrained faith, which is otherwise hidden in the ambivalence of all human events. Through martyrdom the Church's holiness, instead of remaining purely subjective, achieves by God's grace the visible expression it needs. As early as the second century one who accepted death for the sake of Christian faith or Christian morals was looked on and revered as a'martus' (witness). The term is scriptural in that Jesus Christ is the 'faithful witness' absolutely (Revelations 1:5; 3:14)" (Karl Rahner, Theological Dictionary).

www.americancatholic.org

LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 11,15-26

Lectio: 

 Friday, October 9, 2015

Ordinary Time

1) OPENING PRAYER

Father,
your love for us
surpasses all our hopes and desires.
Forgive our failings,
keep us in your peace
and lead us in the way of salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

2) GOSPEL READING - LUKE 11,15-26

Jesus was driving out a devil, but some of the people said, 'It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he drives devils out.' Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, 'Any kingdom which is divided against itself is heading for ruin, and house collapses against house.

So, too, with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? - since you claim that it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out, through whom do your own sons drive them out? They shall be your judges, then. But if it is through the finger of God that I drive devils out, then the kingdom of God has indeed caught you unawares. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own home, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than himself attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.

'Anyone who is not with me is against me; and anyone who does not gather in with me throws away.

'When an unclean spirit goes out of someone it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, "I will go back to the home I came from." But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied, it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, and so that person ends up worse off than before.'

3) REFLECTION

• Today's Gospel speaks about a long discussion around the expulsion of a mute demon which Jesus had before the people.

• Luke 11, 14-16: Three diverse reactions in the face of that expulsion. Jesus was casting out devils. Before this very visible fact, before everyone, there were three different reactions. People were surprised, astonished and applauded. Others said: "it is in the name of Beelzebul that he casts out devils". The Gospel of Mark tells us that it was a question of the Scribes who had gone to Jerusalem to control the activity of Jesus (Mk 3, 22). Others still asked for a sign from heaven, because they were not convinced by such an evident sign such as the expulsion done in front of all the people.

• Luke 11, 17-19: Jesus shows the incoherence of the enemies. Jesus uses two arguments to confirm the accusation of casting out the devil in the name of Beelzebul. In the first place, if the devil casts out the devil himself, he divides himself and will not survive. In the second place, Jesus gives them back their argument: If I cast out the demons in name of Beelzebul, your disciples cast them out in whose name? With these words, they were also casting out demons in the name of Beelzebul. .

• Luke 11, 20-23: Jesus is the strongest man who has come, a sign of the arrival of the Kingdom. Here Jesus leads us to the central point of his argument: "When a strong man, fully armed guards his own home, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than himself attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil". According to the opinion of the people of that time, Satan dominated the world through the demons (daimônia). He was a strong and well armed man who guarded his house. The great novelty was the fact that Jesus succeeded to cast out the demons. This was a sign that he was and is the strongest man who has come. With the coming of Jesus the kingdom of Beelzebul was declining: "But if it is through the finger of God that I drive devils out, then the kingdom of God has indeed caught you unawares". When the magi of Pharaoh saw that Moses did things that they were not capable of doing, they were more honest than the Scribes before Jesus and they said: "Here is the finger of God!" (Ex 8, 14-15).

• Luke 11, 24-26: The second fall is worse than the first one. At the time of Luke in the years 80's, a time of persecution, many Christians returned back and abandoned the community. They went back to live as before. To warn them and all of us, Luke keeps these words of Jesus on the second fall which is worse than the first one.

• The expulsion of the demons. The first impact caused by the action of Jesus among the people is the expulsion of the demons: "He gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him!" (Mk 1, 27). One of the principal causes of the discussion of Jesus with the Scribes was the expulsion of the devils. They slandered against him saying: "He is possessed by Beelzebul!" "It is in the name of Beelzebul, head of demons that he casts out devils!" The first power that the Apostles received when they were sent out on mission was the power to drive out demons: "He gave them authority over unclean spirits" (Mk 6 ,7). The first sign which accompanies the announcement of the Resurrection is the expulsion of demons: "The signs that will be associated with believers, in my name they will cast out devils!" (Mk 16, 17). The expulsion of devils was what struck people more (Mc 1,27). This reached the centre of the Good News of the Kingdom. By means of the expulsion Jesus restored or recovered persons to themselves. He restored them their judgment, their conscience (Mk 5, 15). And, especially, the Gospel of Mark, from beginning until the end, with almost words which are the same, constantly repeats the same image: "And Jesus cast out devils!" (Mk 1, 26.34.39; 3, 11-12. 22.30; 5, 1-20; 6, 7.13; 7, 25-29; 9, 25-27.38; 16, 17). It seems to be a refrain which is always repeated. Today, instead of always using the same words, we will use different words to transmit the same image and we will say: "The power of evil, Satan, who causes so much fear to people, Jesus overcame him, dominated him, seized him, conquered him, cast him out, eliminated him, exterminated him, destroyed him and killed him!" With this the Gospel wants to tell us that: "It is forbidden to the Christian to fear Satan!" By his Resurrection and by his liberating action, Jesus drives away from us the fear of Satan, he gives freedom to the heart, firmness in our actions and causes hope to emerge in the horizon! We should walk along the path of Jesus savouring the victory over the power of evil!

4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS

• To drive out the power of evil. Which is today the power of evil which standardizes people and robs from them the critical conscience?

• Can you say that you are completely free? In the case of a negative response, some part of you is under the power of other forces. What do you do in order to cast out this power which dominates you?

5) Concluding prayer

Full of splendour and majesty his work,
his saving justice stands firm for ever.
He gives us a memorial of his great deeds;
Yahweh is mercy and tenderness. (Ps 111,3-4)

www.ocarm.org