oct 10th

 

taken october 10 2006

 

October 13 2006

Gal 3:7-14 Brothers and sisters: Realize that it is those who have faith who are children of Abraham. Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham, saying,Through you shall all the nations be blessed. Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith. For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law. And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for the one who is righteous by faith will live. But the law does not depend on faith; rather, the one who does these things will live by them. Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Ps 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heartin the company and assembly of the just.Great are the works of the LORD,exquisite in all their delights.R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.Majesty and glory are his work,and his justice endures forever.He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
He has given food to those who fear him;he will forever be mindful of his covenant.He has made known to his people the power of his works,giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

Lk 11:15-26 When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd 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. “When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,it roams through arid regions searching for restbut, finding none, it says,‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first

It is worse to have believed and turn away from God than to never have believed. "Whoever is not with me is against me and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Jesus is teaching the unity of faith. It means to me not turning from the destination of Jerusalem and heaven. It means not turning from trials and suffering that are on the journey and part of following the Lord. It means staying close to the ways of the Lord and teacher and not growing weary on the path. It is a daily turning my heart and mind an face to the Lord and renewing my spirit to be steadfast in faith on my life's journey.

This gospel reading is making it very plain that it is an all or nothing proposition. Either stay with the Lord and do God's will or find myself falling away and into the hands of the devil. It is also a warning that the fall will be more devastating for those who have believed and turned from it than if they never believed. My eyes have been opened by my faith and their are more responsibilities. As the journey continues more is revealed to the believer and there is more to be done as far as "self work."

Acceptance of my cross, my hanging on a tree is also a part of the faith. Acceptance that life will have it's trials, traumas, mishaps and sufferings. Who am I to expect to go through life untouched by the troubles of the world? Why not embrace the times of challenge as a way to truly live my Christian calling? In times of trouble, I pray that I will continue to grow stronger and closer to Jesus and always remain on the path of life in my journey. I pray that I may have a spirit that gives life and strength to others in all that I do today in my ministry.