Daily
Thoughts:
I have always struggled with this passage in Luke that is our Gospel today
(Luke 11:15-26). First of all if Jesus is taking the time to case out demons,
why are people upset? Why are they casting a negative light on Jesus and his
ministry? You would think that they would be pleased. You would think that they
would be open to all the help they can get!
Perhaps
the reason for their negativity is that they have become accustom, even
comfortable with these demons. How does the old saying go, “The devil you know
is better than the devil you don’t know!” Sometimes we become comfortable with
the devils that make a home in us. We look at them and begin to rationalize our
encounters with the devils of our life. “They are just small problems, personal
things, they really don’t hurt anyone. – Everybody does it. Everybody is doing
it.”
Looking
at it another way we might say that Beelzebul is the strong man who guards his
palace. His possessions are hatred, anger, prejudice, greed, and injustice.
Through them he tries to control the world. By ourselves, we are helpless
against his power. But this parable is one of hope. It proclaims the gospel
message. There is one stronger than Beelzebul who can overpower him and cast
him out of our lives if we let him. Christ is our strength, who by his
resurrection has defeated the power of evil. We are called to live each day in the
faith that Christ can help us overcome our demons. If we do our heart becomes a
place where no demons dwell only Christ. O Lord, create in us a clean heart and
a faithful spirit!
Have
a great day everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, give us today day the wisdom to see which things are important, and
which things are not. Show us how best to use the time and talents you have
given us. Help us to use all our opportunities wisely, that we may share,
through service to others, the good gifts we have received from you. Amen.
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “As every runner knows, running is about more than
just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who
we are.” (Joan Benoit Samuelson) The same can be true when we talk about faith.
Faith is more than just reciting prayers or going to mass every Sunday, though
like putting one foot in front of the other when we run, these rituals are
important. Faith is really about how we live our life. Faith is like taking a
breath. We need to breathe when we run and when we do anything else. It is the
same with faith. A person of faith allies her or his faith to every aspect of
life. Faith is about who we are. So today and every day let us be runners but
also let us be people of faith!
Daily
Blessing:
Happy Friday everyone! I hope your day has started out well and that you are
looking forward to a good day and a relaxing weekend.
Let
us continue to pray for the Synod on the Family taking place in Rome these days
of October. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct the discussions of those
involved so that they may truly be a bridge to the future and not a roadblock.
My
prayer of blessing for all of you today comes for the words of another Paul, a
much great Paul than me – Today I say to all of you as you live this day:
rejoice! Let me say it again: rejoice! As you live today let your kindness
should be known to all. Have faith God is always near. Live today with no
anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally,
my friends in the Passion, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is
any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in
the people of faith around you. If you do this then the God of peace will be
with you today and always. (Adapted from the words of St. Paul to the
Philippians)
Blessings
to all! Have a great Friday! Peace in Christ Passion…Fr. Paul
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