Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Lectionary: 240
Lectionary: 240
Thus says the LORD:
This is what I commanded my people:
Listen to my voice;
then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
Walk in all the ways that I command you,
so that you may prosper.
But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed.
They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts
and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.
From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day,
I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets.
Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed;
they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers.
When you speak all these words to them,
they will not listen to you either;
when you call to them, they will not answer you.
Say to them:
This is the nation that does not listen
to the voice of the LORD, its God,
or take correction.
Faithfulness has disappeared;
the word itself is banished from their speech.
This is what I commanded my people:
Listen to my voice;
then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
Walk in all the ways that I command you,
so that you may prosper.
But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed.
They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts
and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.
From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day,
I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets.
Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed;
they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers.
When you speak all these words to them,
they will not listen to you either;
when you call to them, they will not answer you.
Say to them:
This is the nation that does not listen
to the voice of the LORD, its God,
or take correction.
Faithfulness has disappeared;
the word itself is banished from their speech.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8) If
today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Verse Before
The GospelJL 2:12-13
Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
for I am gracious and merciful.
return to me with your whole heart,
for I am gracious and merciful.
GospelLK 11:14-23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them 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."
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them 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."
Meditation: "God's
kingdom has come upon you"
What
is the best protection which brings lasting security to our lives? Scripture
tells us that true peace and security come to those who trust in God and obey
his word. "Obey my voice and walk in all the way that I command you, that
it may be well with you" (Jeremiah 7:23). The struggle between choosing to
do good or evil, yielding to my will or God's will, God's way or my way, cannot
be won by human strength or will-power alone. Our enemy, the devil, conspires
with the "world" (whatever is opposed to God and his truth and
righteousness) and our "flesh" (whatever inclines us to yield to hurtful
desires and wrongdoing), to draw us away from the peace, joy, and security
which God provides for those who put their trust in him.
Peter
the Apostles tells us, Our adversary, the devil prowls the earth
seeking the ruin of souls (1 Peter 5:8-9). The devil is opposed to God
and he seeks to draw us away from God's plan and will for our lives. God offers
us grace (his merciful help and strength) and protection (from Satan's lies and
deception) if we are willing to obey his word and resist the devil's lies and
temptations. 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). The Lord offers us the peace and security of his kingdom which lasts
forever and which no other power can overcome.
God's
kingdom brings healing and freedom from the destructive forces of sin and Satan
Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battled with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry (Luke 4:1-13). 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 he get the power and authority to release individuals from Satan's power? They assumed that he had to be in league with Satan. They attributed his power to Satan rather than to God.
Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battled with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry (Luke 4:1-13). 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 he get the power and authority to release individuals from Satan's power? 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 among the
Jews 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 he 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. 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.
Is
Jesus the Master of your life?
Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. There are two kingdoms in opposition to one another - the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness under the rule of Satan. If we disobey God’s word, we open to door to the power of sin and Satan in our lives. If you want to live in freedom from sin and Satan, then your "house" - your life and possessions (all that you rely upon for livelihood, peace, and security) - must be occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. Is the Lord Jesus the Master of your home, heart, mind, and will?
Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. There are two kingdoms in opposition to one another - the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness under the rule of Satan. If we disobey God’s word, we open to door to the power of sin and Satan in our lives. If you want to live in freedom from sin and Satan, then your "house" - your life and possessions (all that you rely upon for livelihood, peace, and security) - must be occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. Is the Lord Jesus the Master of your home, heart, mind, and will?
"O
Lord, our God, grant us, we beseech you, patience in troubles, humility in
comforts, constancy in temptations, and victory over all our spiritual foes.
Grant us sorrow for our sins, thankfulness for your benefits, fear of your
judgment, love of your mercies, and mindfulness of your presence; now and for
ever." (Prayer by John Cosin)
A
Daily Quote for Lent: God's
help for our complete conversion, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When
we transform our old life and give our spirit a new image, we find it very hard
and tiring to turn back from the darkness of earthly passions to the serene
calm of the divine light. We must ask God to help us that a complete conversion
may be brought about in us." (excerpt from Commentary on
Psalm 6,5)
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, LUKE 11:14-23
Lenten Weekday
(Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95)
KEY VERSE: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house" (v. 17).
TO KNOW: Jesus was accused of casting out devils by the power of "Beelzebul" (Satan, a popular name for the master of demons). Jesus pointed out the absurdity of this accusation. He asked the crowd whether their own people performed exorcisms in the name of God or in Satan's name. If Satan (“adversary”) used his power to cast out demons, then Satan would be working against himself and would eventually be defeated. Jesus was the "one mightier" prophesied by John the Baptist (Lk 3:16). Every word and act of Jesus' ministry was an attack on Satan's stronghold. Like Moses, Jesus power came from the "finger of God" (Ex 8:15). Whoever did not join Jesus in his opposition of evil assisted the adversary in his attempt to destroy God's realm.
TO LOVE: Pray the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel to protect your household from evil.
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to oppose evil wherever I see it.
Lenten Weekday
(Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95)
KEY VERSE: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house" (v. 17).
TO KNOW: Jesus was accused of casting out devils by the power of "Beelzebul" (Satan, a popular name for the master of demons). Jesus pointed out the absurdity of this accusation. He asked the crowd whether their own people performed exorcisms in the name of God or in Satan's name. If Satan (“adversary”) used his power to cast out demons, then Satan would be working against himself and would eventually be defeated. Jesus was the "one mightier" prophesied by John the Baptist (Lk 3:16). Every word and act of Jesus' ministry was an attack on Satan's stronghold. Like Moses, Jesus power came from the "finger of God" (Ex 8:15). Whoever did not join Jesus in his opposition of evil assisted the adversary in his attempt to destroy God's realm.
TO LOVE: Pray the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel to protect your household from evil.
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to oppose evil wherever I see it.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host by the Divine Power of God cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
Thursday 28 March 2019
Jeremiah 7:23-28. Psalm 94(95):1-2, 6-9. Luke 11:14-23
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts – Psalm
94(95):1-2, 6-9.
‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and
house falls on house.’
How sweet an invitation God extends. Today’s readings tell of a
God who pursues His people and relationship with them, and of a people who have
turned their backs. How sweet an invitation God extends. That we should be his
people, and he our God. He offers us the highest blessing, and the fulfillment
of our most profound needs, to dwell in his pastures and be tended by his
gentle hand. In the face of this though, we have tragically hardened our
hearts, failing to heed his prophets and even Jesus. Ruled by our passions, our
desire for worldly goods, power and esteem, we deny ourselves all that he
offers, and try instead to fill ourselves with the passing things of this
world. What holds me back from the Lord? Where do I still seek the world
instead of Him? How can I heed the call of the Psalmist to be open to God’s
voice?
Saint Catharine of Bologna
Saint of the Day for March 28
(September 8, 1413 -March 9, 1463 )
Saint Catharine of Bologna’s Story
Some Franciscan saints led fairly public lives; Catharine
represents the saints who served the Lord in obscurity.
Born in Bologna, Catharine was related to the nobility in
Ferrara, and was educated at court there. She received a liberal education at
the court and developed some interest and talent in painting. In later years as
a Poor Clare, Catharine sometimes did manuscript illumination and also painted
miniatures.
At the age of 17, she joined a group of religious women in
Ferrara. Four years later, the whole group joined the Poor Clares in that city.
Jobs as convent baker and portress preceded her selection as novice mistress.
In 1456, she and 15 other sisters were sent to establish a Poor
Clare monastery in Florence. As abbess, Catharine worked to preserve the peace
of the new community. Her reputation for holiness drew many young women to the
Poor Clare life. She was canonized in 1712. The Liturgical Feast of Saint
Catharine of Bologna is May 9.
Reflection
Appreciating Catharine’s life in a Poor Clare monastery may be
hard for us. “It seems like such a waste,” we may be tempted to say. Through
prayer, penance, and charity to her sisters, Catharine drew close to God. Our
goal is the same as hers, even if our paths are different.
Saint Catharine of Bologna is the Patron Saint of:
Art
Artists
Artists
Lectio Divina: Luke 11:14-23
Lectio Divina
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Season of Lent
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
many of us never had it so good
and so we have become smug and self-satisfied,
happy in our own little world.
God, may our ears remain open to Your word
and our hearts to You
and to our brothers and sisters.
Do not allow us to forget You,
or to place our trust in ourselves.
Make us restless for You
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
many of us never had it so good
and so we have become smug and self-satisfied,
happy in our own little world.
God, may our ears remain open to Your word
and our hearts to You
and to our brothers and sisters.
Do not allow us to forget You,
or to place our trust in ourselves.
Make us restless for You
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 11:14-23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon
had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them 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."
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel is that of Luke. We already meditated on the
parallel text in Mark (Mk 3:22-27) during January.
• Luke 11:14-16: The diverse reactions before the expulsion
of a devil. Jesus had expelled a devil which was mute. The expulsion
produced two different reactions. On the one side, the crowd of people who
remain astonished and surprised. The people accept Jesus and believe in Him. On
the other side, those who do not accept Jesus and do not believe in Him. Among
the latter, some said that Jesus cast out devils in the name of Beelzebul, the
prince of devils, and others wanted a sign from heaven. Mark says that it was a
question of the Scribes who had come from Jerusalem (Mk 3:22), who were not in
agreement with the liberty of Jesus. They wanted to defend tradition against
the message of Jesus.
• Luke 11:17-22: Jesus’ answer is divided into three parts:
1st part: Comparison with a divided
kingdom. (11:17-18a) Jesus denounces the absurdity of the calumny of the
Scribes. To say that he casts out devils with the help of the prince of devils
means to deny the evidence. It is the same thing as saying that water is dry
and that the sun is darkness. The doctors of Jerusalem slandered Him because
they did not know how to explain the benefits which Jesus accomplished for the
people. They were afraid to lose their position of leadership. They felt
threatened in their authority before the people.
2nd part: through whom do your own sons drive
them out?
(11:18b-20) Jesus provokes the accusers and asks, “But if
it is through Beelzebul that I drive out devils, in whose name do your
disciples drive them out? Let them respond and explain themselves! If I drive
out the devil through the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has indeed
caught you unawares.”
3rd part: when someone stronger than himself
attacks and defeats him, the stronger one takes away all weapons. (11:21-22)
Jesus compares the devil to a strong man. Nobody, except a stronger person, can
rob the house of a strong man: Jesus is the strongest. This is why He succeeds
in entering the house and in getting hold of the strong man. He succeeds
in driving out the devils. Jesus seizes the strong man and now robs his house,
that is, He liberates the people who were under the power of evil. The Prophet
Isaiah had used the same comparison to describe the coming of the Messiah (Is
49:24-25). This is why Luke says that the expulsion of the devil is an obvious
sign that the Kingdom of God has arrived.
• Luke 11:23: Anyone who is not with Me is against
Me. Jesus ends His response with this sentence: “Anyone who is not with Me
is against Me. And anyone who does not gather in with Me throws away.” On
another occasion, also regarding the expulsion of a devil, the disciples
prevented a man from using the name of Jesus to drive out the devil because he
was not one of their group. Jesus answered, “You must not stop him: anyone who
is not against you is for you!” (Lk 9:50). These two declarations seem to be
contradictory, but they are not. The sentence in today’s Gospel is directed to
the enemies who have a prejudice against Jesus: “Anyone who is not with Me is
against Me. And anyone who does not gather in with Me throws away.” The
prejudice and the lack of acceptance make dialogue impossible and break the
union. The other sentence is addressed to the disciples who thought they had
the monopoly on Jesus. “Anyone who is not against you is for you!” Many people
who are not Christian practice love, goodness, justice, many times in a much
better way than Christians. We must not exclude them. They are brothers and
workers in the construction of the Kingdom. We Christians are not Jesus’
owners. On the contrary, Jesus is our Lord!
4) Personal questions
• To be “with Me” or “against Me” can become a complex question.
At what point in belief or action would a person move from being “with” to
“against” Jesus and his message?
• “Do not stop him, because anyone who is not against you is for you!” How does this apply to the various Christian interpretations of Jesus’ message today?
• “Do not stop him, because anyone who is not against you is for you!” How does this apply to the various Christian interpretations of Jesus’ message today?
5) Concluding Prayer
Come, let us cry out with joy to Yahweh,
acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving,
acclaim Him with music. (Ps 95:1-2)
acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving,
acclaim Him with music. (Ps 95:1-2)
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