Daily Readings - Thu Mar 08 2018
First Reading - Jeremiah 7.23-28
Jeremiah
23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.25Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.27Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.28But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Gospel - Luke 11.14-23
Luke
14And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.15But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.18If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.19And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Sermon
The first reading from Jeremiah speaks of a people who have turned away from God’s commandments and refused to listen to His prophets. Despite God’s repeated calls to walk in His ways and to trust in His guidance, the Israelites stubbornly followed their own desires and hardened their hearts. Jeremiah laments that faith has disappeared, and the people have become deaf to God’s voice. This passage serves as a warning about the consequences of spiritual rebellion and the importance of humility and obedience in our relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus confronts the skepticism and hostility of those who question His authority. After healing a mute man possessed by a demon, some accuse Jesus of using the power of Satan to cast out demons. Jesus responds by exposing the absurdity of their accusation, pointing out that a divided kingdom cannot stand. He then emphasizes that His works are not of Satan but of the finger of God, demonstrating the arrival of the kingdom of God. Jesus makes it clear that neutrality is impossible: one must either be with Him or against Him.
Both readings remind us that our choices have spiritual consequences. Jeremiah warns us about the dangers of stubbornness and refusal to listen to God, while Luke’s Gospel challenges us to examine our allegiance to Christ. In our daily lives, we are constantly faced with decisions that require us to align ourselves with God’s will or to follow our own desires. Let us reflect on whether we are truly with Christ, actively gathering with Him through prayer, service, and fidelity to His teachings. May we not be like the Israelites of old, who turned away from God’s voice, but instead may we be strong in faith, trusting in His power and grace to overcome the spiritual battles we face.