Daily Readings - Thu Mar 24 2022
Jeremiah
23But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'24But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.25From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day.26Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.27"So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you.28And you shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.
Luke
14Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.15But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,"16while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.17But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.19And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;22but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, obedience, and the spiritual battle we face daily. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet laments the Israelites' refusal to listen to God's commandments, which leads to their downfall. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's will and following our own desires.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a scene where Jesus casts out a demon, leading some to accuse Him of using the power of Beelzebub. Jesus' response emphasizes the impossibility of a divided kingdom and asserts that His power comes from God, signaling the arrival of God's kingdom. This teaches us that our spiritual strength comes from aligning with God and rejecting evil.
These readings remind us to listen to God's voice and remain faithful. In our daily lives, we must choose between following God or our own desires. Let us seek to align our will with God's, recognizing that true strength comes from Him. Let us reject sin and remain with Christ, allowing His kingdom to guide us.