March 11, 2010 - Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

Jer 7:23-28 * Ps 95 * Lk 11:14-23  

JESUS AND BEELZEBUL

Jesus was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person 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."

 

LOVE IN FLESH

J esus was thought to be in league with the devil because it seemed as if he was letting people off the hook. It was commonly understood at the time the illnesses and infirmities plaguing certain people were inflicted on them as punishments for their sins. Keep in mind that the dietary restrictions and taboos of the Mosaic Law were, in large part, designed to keep people healthy. Reasoning to the converse was therefore understandable. Human catastrophe appeared to be God's pillory and the Lord's healing ministry must have seemed to the law keepers as one big jailbreak. But when understood from the perspective of God's inestimable love, releasing the captives was simply the mercy and compassion of God being made manifest in human form, the love of God made flesh and blood.
Prayer: O God, creator of all, I was once a captive to sin,but you set me free. You rescued me from fear and guilt; you saved me from death. Now I want to live for you, Lord. Lead me in love and mercy.
Action: Wrap up a small piece of bread in a napkin and put it in your pocket. Let this remind you today that you carry God's mercy with you at all times.

(Taken from Between Sundays by Paul Boudreau,, published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines.ph or at Paulines Media Centers.)

 

Sower’s Thought: "Let us gaze on the crucified Lord! His every member, his every feeling has its own torment, its own special torture. What immense evil sin must be if it cost so much to a God!" - Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family