Minions of Darkness

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 for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and the house will fall against the house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drove 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."

Consideration: If we, the children of God, heed the words of Jesus, then we will become one with him, and live in his truth. Being united, and not divided, the demons of falsehoods will have no grip on us. May we always place our trust in the Lord, never falling prey to the physical and verbal attacks of the minions of darkness.

The Law of the Prophets

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law of the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

​Lord Jesus, grant us the grace of perseverance so that we will boldly proclaim the truth of your laws with conviction. Amen.

Seventy Times

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of God may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and all of his property, in payment for the debt. At this the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had him put into prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in his anger he handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart." 

Lord Jesus, bless us with a forgiving heart. From your Most Sacred Heart upon the cross, you forgave the thief that asked for mercy, saying, "This day you shall be with me in Paradise." So too we must forgive our brother. not seven times, but seventy-times. Amen.

Perfectly

With your hands, you created the earth and the sky, and the heavens above vast and wide, the moon and the sun shining bright, with your hands…perfectly!

With your hands, you molded the land and the sea, and the mountains, rivers, and streams, the trees, the valleys, rain and snow, with your hands…perfectly!

You are the Creator of all that has ever came to be; there is no other than your majesty, everything there is, and will ever be, created with your hands…perfectly!

Father, in heaven, great is your name, I Am 
Father, majestic Deity, of all eternity, and truth
Father, power and dominion over all things 
Creation came to be, with your hands…perfectly!

Father, transform all things anew, with your hands…perfectly! Amen.

Angered by Truth

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: Amen I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

​Consideration: Words of truth, spoken by Jesus, pierce the hearts of those in the synagogue at Nazareth. They were so angry and filled with fury that they sought to do him harm. 

This is also true today. Just speaking the name of Jesus causes irritation to those who oppose him and his teachings. We must remain faithful to the truth and to the Gospel, even if we are ridiculed or confronted by those who are angered by the truth. Amen.

Death Upon a Cross

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost! "I say to you likewise, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Lord Jesus, this parable is so beautiful, and full of hope. It is the foundation of the Church, the Body of Christ. We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We have hope knowing that you will go to any means, to find us when we are lost; and you rejoice when we are found and repent of our sinfulness. Yes, Lord Jesus, you will go to any means, even to death upon a cross. Amen.

Souls on Fire

We will meet again one day 

Every tear passed away

When time will be no more 

To share love evermore 

Sunshine gives way to night

The softness of moonlight 

Countless stars in full array 

With open arms heaven waits

God's glory is our light

Souls on fire burning bright 

End to hatred and war

This the promise of the Lord

Until the day we journey on

Faith is melody and song

Forward in joyful jubilation

To the final destination

Truth waits on the other side

Rejoice into eternal life

It is everything we desire

Uniting forever souls on fire