Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Lectionary: 520/317
Lectionary: 520/317
Paul, an Apostle of
Christ Jesus by the will of God
for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my dear child:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to God,
whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,
as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.
I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
as I recall your sincere faith
that first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice
and that I am confident lives also in you.
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my dear child:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to God,
whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,
as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.
I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
as I recall your sincere faith
that first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice
and that I am confident lives also in you.
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
OrTI 1:1-5
Paul, a slave of
God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones
and the recognition of religious truth,
in the hope of eternal life
that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,
who indeed at the proper time revealed his word
in the proclamation with which I was entrusted
by the command of God our savior,
to Titus, my true child in our common faith:
grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.
For this reason I left you in Crete
so that you might set right what remains to be done
and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.
for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones
and the recognition of religious truth,
in the hope of eternal life
that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,
who indeed at the proper time revealed his word
in the proclamation with which I was entrusted
by the command of God our savior,
to Titus, my true child in our common faith:
grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.
For this reason I left you in Crete
so that you might set right what remains to be done
and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.
Responsorial PsalmPS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 7-8A, 10
R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the
nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
AlleluiaSEE 2 TM 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 3:22-30
The scribes who had
come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Meditation: "All
sins will be forgiven except..."
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.
The Lord Jesus
frees us from Satan's power
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.
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 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]
Jesus asserted his
authority to cast out demons as a clear demonstration of the reign 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.
Being clothed in
God's strength
What kind of spiritual danger or harm should we avoid at all costs? Jesus used the illustration of a strong man whose house and possessions were kept secure. How could such a person be overtaken and robbed of his goods except by someone who is stronger than himself? Satan, who is our foe and the arch-enemy of God, is stronger than us. Unless we are clothed in God's strength, we cannot withstand Satan with our own human strength. What does Satan wish to take from us - our faith and confidence in God and our readiness to follow God's commandments. Satan is a rebel and a liar. Satan can only have power or dominion over us if we listen to his lies and succumb to his will which is contrary to the will of God. Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties in this world. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or opposed to it.
What kind of spiritual danger or harm should we avoid at all costs? Jesus used the illustration of a strong man whose house and possessions were kept secure. How could such a person be overtaken and robbed of his goods except by someone who is stronger than himself? Satan, who is our foe and the arch-enemy of God, is stronger than us. Unless we are clothed in God's strength, we cannot withstand Satan with our own human strength. What does Satan wish to take from us - our faith and confidence in God and our readiness to follow God's commandments. Satan is a rebel and a liar. Satan can only have power or dominion over us if we listen to his lies and succumb to his will which is contrary to the will of God. Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties in this world. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or opposed to it.
There are ultimately
only two kingdoms in opposition to one another - the kingdom of God's light and
truth and the kingdom of darkness and deception under the rule of Satan. If we
disobey God's word, we open the door to the power of sin and Satan's influence
in our lives. If we want to live in true freedom from the power of sin and
Satan, then our "house" - our mind and heart and whatever we allow to
control our appetites and desires - must be occupied and ruled by Jesus Christ
where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. Do you know the peace and security of
a life submitted to God and to his Word?
Blasphemy
against the Holy Spirit
What is the unforgivable sin which Jesus warns us to avoid? Jesus knows that his disciples will be tested and he assures them that the Holy Spirit will give them whatever grace and help they need in their time of adversity. He warns them, however, that it's possible to spurn the grace of God and to fall into apostasy (giving up the faith) out of cowardice or disbelief. Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit reprehensible? Blasphemy consists in uttering against God, inwardly or outwardly, words of hatred, reproach, or defiance. It's contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. Jesus speaks of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin.
What is the unforgivable sin which Jesus warns us to avoid? Jesus knows that his disciples will be tested and he assures them that the Holy Spirit will give them whatever grace and help they need in their time of adversity. He warns them, however, that it's possible to spurn the grace of God and to fall into apostasy (giving up the faith) out of cowardice or disbelief. Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit reprehensible? Blasphemy consists in uttering against God, inwardly or outwardly, words of hatred, reproach, or defiance. It's contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. Jesus speaks of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin.
Jesus spoke about this
sin immediately after the scribes and Pharisees had attributed his miracles to
the work of the devil instead of to God. A sin can only be unforgivable if
repentance is impossible. If people repeatedly closes their eyes to God, shuts
their ears to his voice, and reject his word, they bring themselves to a point
where they can no longer recognize God when he can be seen and heard. They
become spiritually blind-sighted and speak of "evil as good and good as
evil" (Isaiah 5:20).
The Holy Spirit
heals and transforms us
To fear such a state of sin and spiritual blindness, however, signals that one is not dead to God and is conscious of the need for God's grace, mercy, and help. There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who refuses to acknowledge and confess their sins and to ask God for forgiveness, spurns God's generous offer of mercy, pardon, grace, and healing. Through their own stubborn pride and willfulness, they reject God, refuse his grace and help to turn away from sin, and reject the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to heal and restore them to wholeness. God always gives sufficient grace and help to all who humbly call upon him. Giving up on God and refusing to turn away from sin and disbelief results from pride and the loss of hope in God.
To fear such a state of sin and spiritual blindness, however, signals that one is not dead to God and is conscious of the need for God's grace, mercy, and help. There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who refuses to acknowledge and confess their sins and to ask God for forgiveness, spurns God's generous offer of mercy, pardon, grace, and healing. Through their own stubborn pride and willfulness, they reject God, refuse his grace and help to turn away from sin, and reject the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to heal and restore them to wholeness. God always gives sufficient grace and help to all who humbly call upon him. Giving up on God and refusing to turn away from sin and disbelief results from pride and the loss of hope in God.
What is the basis of
our hope and confidence in God? Through Jesus' death on the cross and his
victory over the grave when he rose again on the third day, Satan has been
defeated and death has been overcome. We now share in Christ's victory over sin
and Satan and receive adoption as God's sons and daughters. Through the gift of
the Holy Spirit, the Lord enables us to live a new life of love and freedom
from slavery to sin. The Lord Jesus is our refuge and strength because he makes
his home with us (John 15:4) and gives us the power and help of the Holy
Spirit. Do you take refuge in the Lord and allow him to be the Ruler of your
life?
"Lord Jesus, you
are my hope and salvation. 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."
 Identity Confusion |
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January 26, 2015.
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
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Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had
come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By
the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak
to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is
divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided
against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen
up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he
first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to
you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an
unclean spirit."
Introductory
Prayer: Lord, I believe that you
are the source of all goodness. I know that your goodness is both a challenge
and a promise. I trust that your goodness will envelop me if I allow myself
to be found by you. I love you for wanting to fight the battle against evil
for my sake.
Petition: Lord, help me not to be afraid of the battle against
evil.
1. Not
Indifferent:With Jesus on earth,
another world becomes evident around us: the world of evil spirits. Jesus has
come to take control of the kingdom. The devils are in a panic and begin to
lose ground. Jesus is a threat to evil. His goodness, truth and holiness are
capable of putting the devils into submission. When Christ takes a stronger
hold on my life, things begin to change. Do I let Christ challenge evil in my
heart? In the world around me?
2. Not One of
Them:Jesus brings change. But
change is not evil per se. The change that Jesus brings is good, since he comes
to put demons in their place, bringing about good. This awakening of the good
worries the devil. The conquest over evil is not always done in peace and
tranquility. Does the spiritual opposition I face as I try to overcome evil
in my life cause me to hesitate in the fight or to wish that Jesus and his
teachings would not be so demanding? Do I realize that facing difficulties is
a sign of growth in Christian authenticity? Do I let the goodness of Christ
radically define my life? Even in the face of opposition?
3. Only Good:Think of the joy that people experienced when Jesus
freed them from the power of the Evil One. Think of the joy we feel after
making a good confession, attending a good retreat or progressing in virtue.
Jesus comes into our life to bring the joy of freedom from evil. He is God’s
goodness made flesh. Do I rejoice to have Christ as my friend? Do I try to
listen to his teachings with a willing heart, thankful for the chance I have
to abide in God’s heart by living the life of grace? What an amazing friend I
have! I can trust in his power to lead me along the path of life.
Conversation with
Christ: Christ, I know that you
are more powerful than evil. Help me to face up to evil in my life,
encouraged by your friendship and strength. In your name Lord, I will walk
with confidence.
Resolution: I will do something to share my faith with others
today.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 26, MARK 3:22-30
(2 Timothy 1:1-8; Psalm 37)
(2 Timothy 1:1-8; Psalm 37)
KEY VERSE: "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand" (v 24).
TO KNOW: When Jesus returned to Capernaum, large crowds gathered, which made it impossible for him and his disciples to take time to eat. Some of Jesus' relatives believed that he had taken leave of his senses and could no longer handle his own affairs. Some scribes from Jerusalem charged him with performing exorcisms by the power of "Beelzebul" (the pagan god Baal of Syria). Jesus described the folly of a divided kingdom. If a nation was torn by civil war, it could not stand. Neither could a family withstand internal strife. Similarly, if Satan worked against himself, his domain would eventually collapse. Jesus was the "strong man" (v 27) who plundered Satan's household. Satan's defenses had been breached, and one mightier that he had arrived. The conquest of Satan had begun. Anyone that declared that Jesus was in league with the king of the demons was guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit who was at work in Jesus.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, reconcile any divisions in my life.
TO SERVE: Am I a source of unity or discord in my family?
Memorial of Timothy and Titus, bishops
Timothy was converted to Christianity by Paul around the year 47. Timothy’s Gentile father and Jewish mother Eunice had given him physical birth, but it was Paul who offered him eternal life in Jesus Christ. Timothy was a co-worker and close friend of Paul. He was Paul’s companion on his second and the third missionary journeys (Acts 16:3; 19:22), and was often sent by him on special missions (Acts 19:22; 1Cor 4:17; 1 Thes 3:2). Timothy was the head of the Church in Ephesus, and the recipient of two canonical letters from Paul. Timothy was stoned to death in 97 for opposing the worship of Dionysius.
Titus, a pagan by birth, became one of Paul's most illustrious disciples. He accompanied the apostle on several of his missionary journeys and was entrusted with important missions. Finally he came with Paul to the island of Crete, where he was appointed bishop. He performed this duty in accordance with the admonition given him, "In all things show yourself an example of good works" (Tit. 2:7). Tradition tells us that he died a natural death at the age of 94. Paul left a worthy monument to Titus, his faithful disciple, in the beautiful pastoral letter which forms part of the New Testament.
Monday 26 January 2015
Australia Day.
Isaiah 32:15-18. The Lord speaks of peace to his people—Ps 84(85):9-14. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 / Romans 12:9-13. Matthew 5:1-12 / Luke 12:22-32.
Isaiah 32:15-18. The Lord speaks of peace to his people—Ps 84(85):9-14. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 / Romans 12:9-13. Matthew 5:1-12 / Luke 12:22-32.
‘Blessed are the gentle …’
It can seem that wherever
we turn we see the powerful, the strong, the mighty, the influential prosper
and triumph, often at the expense of the poor, the powerless and the small.
It can be seen locally; it can be seen globally. The values of the ‘winners’ often seem antithetical to the kingdom values expressed in today’s gospel.
It can be seen locally; it can be seen globally. The values of the ‘winners’ often seem antithetical to the kingdom values expressed in today’s gospel.
What then is Jesus’
response to the strong and the mighty? ‘Blessed are the gentle, the merciful,
the peace makers, the poor, the hungry, the persecuted.’ These are the winners
in God’s eyes. They are winners because such people, more than any others,
recognise how little they are, how dependent they are on the transcendent.
Recognising this, they turn
to God in their need and God does not turn away.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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True Strength
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Meek does not mean weak. Meekness requires true strength (Mt 5:5).
True power is robed in humility.
January
26
Sts. Timothy and Titus
Sts. Timothy and Titus
Timothy (d. 97?): What we know from the New
Testament of Timothy’s life makes it sound like that of a modern harried
bishop. He had the honor of being a fellow apostle with Paul, both sharing the
privilege of preaching the gospel and suffering for it.
Timothy
had a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. Being the product of a
“mixed” marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews. It was his
grandmother, Lois, who first became Christian. Timothy was a convert of Paul
around the year 47 and later joined him in his apostolic work. He was with Paul
at the founding of the Church in Corinth. During the 15 years he worked with Paul,
he became one of his most faithful and trusted friends. He was sent on
difficult missions by Paul—often in the face of great disturbance in local
churches which Paul had founded.
Timothy
was with Paul in Rome during the latter’s house arrest. At some period Timothy
himself was in prison (Hebrews 13:23). Paul installed him as his representative
at the Church of Ephesus.
Timothy
was comparatively young for the work he was doing. (“Let no one have contempt
for your youth,” Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:12a.) Several references seem to
indicate that he was timid. And one of Paul’s most frequently quoted lines was
addressed to him: “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the
sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23).
Titus (d.
94?): Titus has the distinction of being a close friend and disciple
of Paul as well as a fellow missionary. He was Greek, apparently from Antioch.
Even though Titus was a Gentile, Paul would not let him be forced to undergo
circumcision at Jerusalem. Titus is seen as a peacemaker, administrator, great
friend. Paul’s second letter to Corinth affords an insight into the depth of
his friendship with Titus, and the great fellowship they had in preaching the
gospel: “When I went to Troas...I had no relief in my spirit because I did not
find my brother Titus. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.... For
even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted
in every way—external conflicts, internal fears. But God, who encourages the
downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus...” (2 Corinthians 2:12a, 13;
7:5-6).
When Paul
was having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of
Paul’s severe letter and was successful in smoothing things out. Paul writes he
was strengthened not only by the arrival of Titus but also “by the
encouragement with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of
your yearning, your lament, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more....
And his heart goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of
all of you, when you received him with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:7a,
15).
The
Letter to Titus addresses him as the administrator of the Christian community
on the island of Crete, charged with organizing it, correcting abuses and
appointing presbyter-bishops.
Comment:
In Titus we get another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate, great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says. Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.”
In Titus we get another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate, great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says. Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.”
Quote:
“But when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy” (Titus 3:4-8).
“But when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy” (Titus 3:4-8).
Patron Saint of:
Stomach disorders
Stomach disorders
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 3,22-30
Lectio:
Monday, January 26, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
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.
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
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 - Mark 3,22-30
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying,
'Beelzebul is in him,' and, 'It is through the prince of devils that he drives
devils out.'
So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, 'How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never last. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot last either -- it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man's house and plunder his property unless he has first tied up the strong man. Only then can he plunder his house. 'In truth I tell you, all human sins will be forgiven, and all the blasphemies ever uttered; but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin.' This was because they were saying, 'There is an unclean spirit in him.'
So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, 'How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never last. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot last either -- it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man's house and plunder his property unless he has first tied up the strong man. Only then can he plunder his house. 'In truth I tell you, all human sins will be forgiven, and all the blasphemies ever uttered; but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin.' This was because they were saying, 'There is an unclean spirit in him.'
3) Reflection
• The conflict grows. In the Gospel of Mark there is a progressive sequence. In the
measure in which the Good News advances and people accept it, in the same
measure grows also the resistance on the part of the religious authority. The
conflict began to grow and to influence all the groups of persons. For example,
the relatives of Jesus thought that he was out of his mind. (Mk 3, 20-21), and
the Scribes who had come from Jerusalem thought that he was possessed, that
Beelzebul was in him (Mk 3, 22).
• The conflict with the authority. The Scribes slandered against him. They said that Beelzebul was in him and that it was through the prince of devils that he drove out the devils. They had come from Jerusalem, about 120 kilometres distance, to keep an eye on or watch Jesus’ behaviour. They wanted to defend tradition against the novelty that Jesus taught to the people (Mk 7, 1). They thought that his teaching was against the good doctrine. The response given by Jesus had three parts.
- First Part: The comparison with a divided family. Jesus uses the comparison of the divided family and of the divided kingdom to denounce the absurdity of the slander. To say that Jesus casts out or drives out the devils with the help of the prince of the devils is to deny the evidence, what is evident. It is like saying that water is dry, and that the sun is darkness. The doctors of Jerusalem slandered, because they did not know how to explain the benefits worked by Jesus in behalf of the people. They were afraid to lose their leadership.
- Second Part: The comparison of the strong man. Jesus compares the devil to a strong man. Nobody, unless he is a strong person, will be able to take away the house from a strong man, to rob it. Jesus is the strongest of all. And this is why he succeeds to enter the house and to dominate and overcome the strong man. He succeeds in driving out the devils. Jesus wins over the strong man and robs his house, that is, he liberates the persons who were under the power of the evil one. The Prophet Isaiah had already used the same comparison to describe the coming of the Messiah (Is 49, 24-25). Luke adds that the expulsion of the devil is an evident sign of the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 11, 20).
- Third part: The sin against the Holy Spirit. All sins are forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Spirit. Which is the sin against the Holy Spirit? It is to say: “The spirit which impels Jesus to cast out or drive out the devil, comes precisely from the devil!” The one who speaks in this way is incapable to receive pardon. Why? Can the one who covers his eyes guess? He cannot! The one who closes his mouth, can he eat? He cannot. The one who does not close the umbrella of slander, can he receive the rain of pardon? He cannot! Pardon would pass by his side but would not reach him. It is not that God does not want to forgive. God always wants to forgive. But it is the sinner who refuses to receive pardon!
• The conflict with the authority. The Scribes slandered against him. They said that Beelzebul was in him and that it was through the prince of devils that he drove out the devils. They had come from Jerusalem, about 120 kilometres distance, to keep an eye on or watch Jesus’ behaviour. They wanted to defend tradition against the novelty that Jesus taught to the people (Mk 7, 1). They thought that his teaching was against the good doctrine. The response given by Jesus had three parts.
- First Part: The comparison with a divided family. Jesus uses the comparison of the divided family and of the divided kingdom to denounce the absurdity of the slander. To say that Jesus casts out or drives out the devils with the help of the prince of the devils is to deny the evidence, what is evident. It is like saying that water is dry, and that the sun is darkness. The doctors of Jerusalem slandered, because they did not know how to explain the benefits worked by Jesus in behalf of the people. They were afraid to lose their leadership.
- Second Part: The comparison of the strong man. Jesus compares the devil to a strong man. Nobody, unless he is a strong person, will be able to take away the house from a strong man, to rob it. Jesus is the strongest of all. And this is why he succeeds to enter the house and to dominate and overcome the strong man. He succeeds in driving out the devils. Jesus wins over the strong man and robs his house, that is, he liberates the persons who were under the power of the evil one. The Prophet Isaiah had already used the same comparison to describe the coming of the Messiah (Is 49, 24-25). Luke adds that the expulsion of the devil is an evident sign of the coming of the Kingdom (Lk 11, 20).
- Third part: The sin against the Holy Spirit. All sins are forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Spirit. Which is the sin against the Holy Spirit? It is to say: “The spirit which impels Jesus to cast out or drive out the devil, comes precisely from the devil!” The one who speaks in this way is incapable to receive pardon. Why? Can the one who covers his eyes guess? He cannot! The one who closes his mouth, can he eat? He cannot. The one who does not close the umbrella of slander, can he receive the rain of pardon? He cannot! Pardon would pass by his side but would not reach him. It is not that God does not want to forgive. God always wants to forgive. But it is the sinner who refuses to receive pardon!
4) Personal questions
• The
religious authorities close themselves up in themselves and deny the evidence.
Has this ever happened to me, that I close myself in self before the evidence
of facts?
• Slander is the arm or weapon of the weak. Have you had experience on this point?
• Slander is the arm or weapon of the weak. Have you had experience on this point?
5) Concluding prayer
The whole wide world has seen the saving power of our God.
Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy! (Ps 98,3-4)
Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy! (Ps 98,3-4)
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