Spiritual Reflection Thursday, March 11, 2021 (Readings Jeremiah 7:5-10; Psalm 95; Lk 11:14-23) “Whoever is not with me is against me and whoever does not gather with me scatters”.
In today’s 1st reading, the Lord gives Jeremiah a sobering truth and warning as well. The Lord said: “They did not listen to me, or pay attention, but they stiffened their necks”. God’s prophets have always faced stubbornness and hostility from people for speaking the truth: Jeremiah’s experience is no exception of this kind. Humility is sometimes called the queen of the virtues because it enables us to recognize what and who we are: a creature needing to listen to the voice of our God as the Responsorial Psalm reminds us today: “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts”. It is easy to slip into the self-sufficient attitude of the “strong person” who, fully armed, guards the palace thinking he is keeping the possessions safe. Yet only the Strong One – the Lord - breaks through the barriers we erect around our hearts. Invaded by Christ’s love, we are no longer divided against ourselves. The plunders are distributed. God’s Kingdom can come upon us in a variety of ways. Today’s Gospel comes in the middle of a story of Jesus casting out a demon from a man who was mute. Once the demon was cast out, the mute man began to speak, and all were amazed; others however, turned their amazement into irrationality, refusing to accept that Jesus’ power was Divine. Sternly refusing, they claimed: “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons”. In conclusion: for those who have eyes to see clearly, this violent and irrational rejection of the Kingdom of God is very clear. For those with faith and an open heart, the pure message of the Gospel is like water to a dry and parched soul. They soak it up and find great refreshment.Have a strong and believing heart. Blessings. Fr. Mussie