Thursday of the 3rd week of Lent
Jeremiah 7:23-28
Luke 11:14-23
Lent is a time to make a choice, to ultimately surrender to the love of God. A time to be really convinced about the victory of Christ. In today’s gospel after Jesus casted out a demon from a dumb some immediately rejected Jesus.
They said, ‘Beelzebub, the prince of darkness, must be the power behind Jesus’ healing.’ and so the source of the healing is evil. Others took a wait and see attitude; saying, ‘We want more proof!’ they demanded more signs and wonders.
More miracles might persuade them, they perceived. Did they really want to degrade the activity of their own exorcists by such logic? And so Jesus took their assumptions to their absurd conclusion by telling them that “ every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house,”
Christ came to silence the devil and to assure us of our victory in the power of the Resurrection. He came to reclaim humanity from Satan’s mute grip and establish God’s kingdom in our midst. In this struggle between demonic silence and the proclamation of the Good News there is no neutral territory, Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters.”
Jesus says. He rejects fence straddlers. He warns us that lukewarm neutrality is equivalent to opposition to him. We too are called to recognize the power of God that lies within us. The power of God makes us fearless against every peril from the evil one. The power of God is our salvation. Darkness has no power over us. Let us not remain mute in the face of evil but manifest the power of Christ.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, mercifully dispel totally every darkness of sin in our lives. Grant us your grace to be more loving and abiding. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
