he commands even the unclean spirits

Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Hebrews 2:5-12 Psalm 8:2, 5-9 Mark 1:21-28

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

So, are we amazed today?  It seems to me that we have a tendency to downplay, or even reject the notion of evil spirits, or demons, or for that matter, even the devil.  We too easily lump regular everyday sin in with evil and thereby dissolving evil from our awareness.
So what?  Well, I think that there is a difference between sin and evil. The terms, evil, sin, and suffering all tend to get lumped together.  I think this is dangerous.
First, suffering is not necessarily sin or evil.  Sin is not necessarily evil. Sin gives opportunity to evil, so we must fight sin so evil has no place to enter into us.  But I think that if we fail to identify evil and we blend it all together, the devil will be happy about that.  It kind of camouflages him and allows him to more easily sneak up on us.
Some might say that this man was epileptic, or some other explanation.  Again, the devil is happy when we disguise his work and intentions.  I think that if we deny that a demon actually came out of this man, then we have a lot of trouble accepting the truth of other scriptures as well.  Again, I think that makes the devil happy.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to rightfully discern my sin and acts of evil, so that I do not give evil an opportunity.
Amen

all spoke well of him

Thursday, January 10, 2013 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 John 4:19 -- 5:4 Psalm 72:2, 14-15, 17 Luke 4:14-22

Luke 4:22  And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"

Interesting?  They spoke well of him, but then they questioned "Is not this Joseph's son?". So, in one breath they honor him, and then in the next they discredit him.  Remember, Joseph's son was born out of wedlock.  I see this all the time today, where the Christian religion is patronized by people, then in the next breath they totally discredit it.  We often find our selves in situations where we may be a minority, or our job or position or relationship could be jeopardized if we say some thing too extreme, so we, who are professing Christians, play down the faith a bit in order to not cause a scene.  Is this what Jesus did?  It seems to me that there were people who actually wanted to kill him!  I don't think that is because he was politically correct.  Jesus said that if we follow him they will want to kill us too. So, how many people want to kill us?  

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to treat others with love, but at the same time to not compromise the faith in order to save my reputation or job or whatever.
Amen

they did not understand

Wednesday, January 09, 2013 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 John 4:11-18 Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13 Mark 6:45-52

Mark 6:52  for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

This verse seems terribly out of place.  I sat and stared at it for a while and had no idea what to do with it?  Then it struck me.  Yes, it is out of place!  They just witnessed Jesus walking on the water and they were still hung up on the loaves.  I think that the hardness of our hearts prevents us from being in the moment, from seeing what is actually going on.  Our unwillingness to believe causes us to be distracted and to create our own reality to some degree to either ignore, deny, or rationalize what we are unwilling to accept.  We spend our effort in this and we miss the obvious.

Father, help me by your holy Spirit to see the obvious, to be in the moment, and to not have a hard heart towards the wonders of your grace.
Amen

let no one deceive you

Friday, January 04, 2013 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 1 John 3:7-10 Psalm 98:1, 7-9 John 1:35-42 If we wish to keep peace with our neighbor, we should never remind anyone of his natural defect. -- St Philip Neri

1 John 3:7  Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.

I have been drifting a little, not keeping up with this.  I also have been accused of being rather angry in my other communications.  I didn't think that I was, but apparently that is the way it is perceived.  But, my primary objective in my "angry" communications is not to be angry, but to call attention to what is happening in this world today.  We are slipping away from God.  We are redefining what is right and what is wrong.  John plainly states that there is a difference, but in today's post-modern culture the only right that exists is that of consensus. If I can get people to agree with me, then I am right.
John says not to let anyone deceive us.  We must hold tight to what is right and what is wrong according to the Word of God.  It is our only light in a dark world.  And if we let go, who will do it for us?  I watched a show about Ray Lewis, and he said something that resonated with me.  You have to fight for who you are.  You can't let others define you.  That means that some times it will not be nice, because the devil is not nice.  When we try to make nice with him, he steals our identity.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to discern what is right and what is wrong.  Help me to know when to fight and when to concede.  Help me to be loving and caring and to be an honest and worthy reflection of your grace.
Amen