Todays Gospel March 27 Introduction The people, and especially the leaders, of Judaism are amazed with the power that Jesus constantly exercises and they want to know its origins. They know that what Jesus does is good but if they fully admit this, it is tantamount to saying that they have been doing a bad job leading the people, as they have not been able to do the things that Jesus does. There is a certain warped nature to this sort of thinking, but that is precisely what happens when jealousy or envy is lurking close at hand. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful. Luke 11:14-23 14 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. 15 Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 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. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Sharing and reflection from Meann Tee of kerygmafamily UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”– Luke 11:17 We see a lot of divisions around us — in our family, in our church, in our country and in our world. Husbands and wives separate. The Church is divided on certain moral issues. Civil wars abound. World wars are always a threat. The division may start from petty arguments, envy or minor conflicts until it turns into full blown fights that can be verbal or physical. And this has caused us much harm, pain and even death. Before Jesus was arrested, He prayed for His disciples and all believers: “I pray for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you…. May they be brought to complete unity” (John 17:20, 21, 23). How do we restore and keep this unity that Jesus prayed for us who believe in Him? By obeying God’s commands. By being faithful to our spouses. By being loyal to our community and church. By serving and caring for one another. By being merciful and forgiving.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:18:20 +0000
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