Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 11:14-23

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.
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."

Reflection

Jesus knew that the message that he was giving was difficult. And in this passage, he’s speaking to the crowds and all he is pleading for is one simple thing. I want you to somehow trust me. I want you to join me, not be against me in this work that I have for you, which is to open your heart and mind to a truth you cannot yet see.

So I love the way it ends when he's simply saying, If you are with me, then you're not in any way, shape, or form resisting me. Just trust in my words, trust that they're true, even though you can't yet fully understand them. You see that I have power over evil. That is all you need to be with me on. We together.

Me and you have power over evil.

Closing Prayer

Father, your power is beyond our imagining, and what we long for is the ability to be a person who is engaged with you in all that you call us to do and to be. We know there is weaknesses with us, we know that we are prone to doing the wrong thing. But if we trust in your power within us, overcoming all those evil, dark places that are there, we will find the fullness of light. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross