Daily Reflection = 1/27/2020
Sacred Scripture
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, “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.” ( Mark 3:22-30)
Reflection
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.
Think for a moment of all the great things we would be able to accomplish if all Christians were united in heart, mind and soul. I do not mean that we all have to lose our identity. No. But if we were all united in truth and love imagine what wonders the world would see!
The Lord came to unite, not divide. He unites his flock. He gathers the wheat! God unites, the devil divides. He uses the sins of pride, vanity and sensuality to create division within us and among ourselves and reinforces it with animosity! I deserve this award more than they do! If I don’t get what he (she) has. Sin entrenches us in our position.
This reading is very applicable to our world today. Division grows, people are pitted against one another/ Jesus’s questions speak directly to communities: how can a community divided against itself stand? Too often we tear each other down in order to build ourselves up rather than build others up to better our communities as a whole. Too often we allow secular issues to divide us. Look at the populist countries around the world. There is always a “they,” there is always “the other.” Can anyone say that this follows the teachings of Jesus Christ? How can one enter the Church of his/her choice if animosity – no matter how subtle – no matter how cloaked – dwells in their heart? Jesus’ teaching challenges us all to come together as humans. If we are separated, if we are divided from one another, then Satan will rule.
Prayer of The Day
Lord Jesus, you are my hope and salvation. Be the ruler of my heart and the master of my home. Free me from any division. Let me walk in the light and not the darkness.
Daily Note
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?
