The Children of God

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and good, and causes rain to fall on the just and unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brother and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Lord Jesus, you ask us to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. God allows his sun to rise on the bad and the good, and the rain to fall on the just and unjust. So we are asked to love all people, the good and the bad as well. By doing this, we are truly living our lives as...The Children of God, Amen.

Forgive Others

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses those of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, you shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgement. But I say to you, whoever grows angry with his brother will be liable to judgement, and whoever insults his brother, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the alter, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the alter, go first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise, your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

Consideration: The message in this Scripture passage is very clear. Jesus is telling us that foolish anger and judgement of others in the slightest way will lead us to accountability. We must forgive others at all costs. If we fail to do so, we are liable to judgement.

Manifest Your Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law of the prophets."

Lord Jesus, we ask with humility; seek with confidence; and knock with faith. We believe that you are waiting for us to ask, so your love will manifest itself to all of your children. Amen.

The Lord of Eternity

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgement the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgement the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."

Lord Jesus, this generation of our time, is truly an evil generation. It seeks signs and wonders that feed its earthly desires and are contrary to the Gospel. So you give them up to the desires of the flesh that will ultimately consume them. You alone have the words of everlasting life, but they serve the ruler of this world and not the Lord of eternity. Amen.

Our Father

Jesus said to his disciples: "Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. "If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

Consideration: Jesus sums everything up with these simple words. If we listen to these beautiful words and the wisdom found in them, then we have nothing to fear. These words represent the ticket for mankind to enter into eternal glory. This is the Gospel in its entirety. If we speak these words to the Father with sincerity and love, he will forgive us our transgressions and welcome us home. Amen.

The Key to the Kingdom

“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Lord Jesus, when you come in glory, may we be found to be among the righteous, welcomed by you to inherit the kingdom. To love our neighbor with sincerity is the key to the kingdom of eternal life. Amen.

Away with you Satan

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." He said in reply, "It is written: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test." Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and said to him, "All these things I shall give you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve." 

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Lord Jesus, we too are tempted by the devil and his minions. Unfortunately, mankind has given way to sin. Grant us the grace of repentance; to be truly sorry for our transgressions, and to be reconciled to you. Then filled with thy grace we will be able to say to the devil, "Away with you Satan! We worship and serve our Lord and God alone!" Amen.

The Way of Truth

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me," And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have come not call the righteous to repentance but sinners." 

Lord Jesus, your words give hope to those who have fallen prey to the master of deception. Many have given up on them, but not you. They may have given up on themselves, but you have not given up on them. You have said, "I have come not to call the righteous to repentance but sinners." That is why you came into this world, because all of mankind, including the righteous, are in need of your divine healing and forgiveness. Bless us with the faith to seek out your mercy and move forward in the way of truth. Amen.

Trial and Tranquility

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Consideration: As long as our lives are moving along at a steady pace and the road is smooth, we are comfortable. We do not feel the need to call upon the Lord because we feel in control. A bit further along a powerful storm moves in where peace was just present. Immediately we call upon the name of the Lord to save us from harm. The same is true with fasting, when we are satisfied and things are well, sacrifice is rarely thought of. But when there is an event that invades our tranquil lives and we suffer, prayer and fasting become necessary. In both circumstances, the Lord is with us; and the Lord loves us. 

Lord Jesus, may we always place you first in our lives and speak to you often, both in times of trial and times of tranquility. Amen.

The Things of Eternity

Saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself.?"

Lord Jesus, the world is on display for all to see. With all the lures and enticements, it has to offer us. Help us to be mindful of the passing things of this world, and to set our gaze upon the things of eternity that awaits all who love you. Amen.

"You are the Christ"

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked the disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." And he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and started to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

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Lord Jesus, as you rebuked Peter, so too, are we rebuked for our sinful pride. Help us, Lord, with Thy grace to ask for your loving mercy so we can continue on the mission that you are calling us to live out. Amen.

Bless Our Hearts Father

Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

Lord Jesus, the hypocrites love to say and do things for others to see to win their praise and admiration. But the Father sees, not only the action, but into the depths of the heart where the sincerity of the action originated. 

May we always be sincere in our actions, so our Father in heaven will be pleased with us and will bless our hearts. Amen.

Do You not yet Understand

Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And He cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they discussed it with one another, saying, “We have no bread." And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve." And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven." And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Lord Jesus, sometimes we see your works playing out before our eyes and do not understand from where they come. The disciples were with you all the time and saw you perform many miracles and did not grasp the magnitude of what they were witnessing. Help us Lord, with thy grace, to be witnesses of the many miracles in our lives that would not be possible if not for your grace, love, compassion and mercy. Amen.

A Sign from Heaven

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Then he left them, got into the boat again and went off to the other shore.

Lord Jesus, the hypocritical Pharisees demand that a sign from heaven be given to satisfy their lack of faith and trust in the scriptures. They have witnessed all of the good work that you have done. And they are very troubled that the people believe in you and your works. 

Help us, Lord, to have the true faith in you and all of your works and blessings. "Blessed are they who have not seen and still believe." Amen.

Ancestors to You

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgement. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement.

"You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone that looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No, mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."

Compassionate One

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him, and said to them, ​“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a long way.” ​And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these men with bread here in the desert?” ​And he asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven.” ​And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. ​And they had a few small fish; and having blessed them, he commanded that these also should be set before them. ​And they ate, and were satisfied; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. ​And there were about four thousand people. ​And he sent them away; and immediately he got into the boat with his disciples, and went to the district of Dalmanuʹtha.

Lord Jesus, you were moved with compassion over the great crowd that had gathered and had nothing to eat for three days. The disciples had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. After the crowd sat down as you commanded them, you gave thanks, blessed the loaves and the fish, and the disciples, as you commanded gave them to the people. They ate their fill, with seven baskets full left over. Nothing is impossible for you most loving and compassionate One. Amen. 

Lord of All Blessings

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapʹolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; ​and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephʹphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ​And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ​And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ​And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

Lord Jesus, yes, you have done all things well. How much more do you wish to do for us today? If we only have the faith of a mustard seed, we could move mountains! Dear Lord, you are always ready to provide for our needs, if you so will it. Help us to be grateful for all of our blessings, and blessings that you wish to give us. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Jesus went to the district Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs." She replied and said to him, "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps." Then he said to her, "For saying this you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter." When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Consideration: Jesus once again approached by a woman, her daughter was possessed by a demon spirit. After speaking to her, Jesus assured her that the demon was out of her daughter. She went home and found the child in bed at Peace. The woman's faith touched the Lord, and he freed the child from her bondage.

Do we possess the faith of this woman? Do we believe that our Lord Jesus hears our prayers of intercession...?

Defiled Hearts

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters from the outside can defile that person; but the things that come from within can defile."

When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, "are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from the outside cannot defile, since it enters not from the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?" "But what comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." 

Lord Jesus, grant to us a clean heart. All the evils you have mentioned, and many more, are at the core of sinfulness. Our hearts were created pure and without blemish so we would honor and please you. Help us to turn from our wicked and sinful ways that we have allowed to fester in our hearts. Only with the grace of thy mercy can we be redeemed and be restored from the defiled ways that offend you. Amen.

Chatter of Our Lips

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." He went on to say, "How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and mother, and whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, 'If someone says to the father or mother, "Any support you might have had from me is gorban'" (meaning dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things." 

Consideration: Jesus calls out the hypocrites for honoring him with their lips, yet their hearts are far from him. 

May we always give honor to our Lord with all of our hearts; never to offend him with the hypocrisy of the false chatter of our lips. Amen.

The Tassel of His Cloak

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to the land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel of his cloak; and as many touched it were healed.

Lord Jesus, how great was the faith of those who came to you with their sick loved ones and friends. They believed that you had the power to heal just by touching your garment. Help us, Lord, never to lose hope, and to trust in you always when we are faced with similar circumstances in the modern, faithless world we live in today. Amen.

"Give Peace a Try"

Many are nervous, you feel it in the air 

Streets in an uproar; discord and fear 

People are angry, on the left and right

Join in the hell or let's give peace a try

Nothing is ever gained if we complain

This the season of raining down pain

Equating the righteous to an evil force

The plan is division without remorse

Hate has a way of bleeding its seeds

Thriving abundantly within the weeds

It bears no fruit except what is vile

Sown among the righteous to defile

Do not be comfortable with this mess

Blessed are refined through the test

Armed only with God's peacefulness

Healing will overcome all lawlessness

We are on a collision course mission

A rebellion is full steam to its fruition

Battle forces are dug in on both sides

Tug-of-War Compromise: "Give Peace a Try"

The Bitterness of Sinfulness

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Consideration: We are to be the seasoning for every season; to let our light shine upon the darkness. We are the light of the world and spice that enhances and satisfies those living through the bitterness of sinfulness.

Like Sheep Without a Shepherd

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in a boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Lord Jesus, sometimes we get tired from the day-to-day struggle. We long for a place of quiet and solitude to relax and rewind. It is there, Lord, where we rest in your peace. We pray that in these times you will come to accompany us and speak to our hearts and to refresh us anew. Amen.  

Jeus Sends the Twelve

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick - no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Lord Jesus, this was the beginning of you blessing the disciples with a mission. You sent them out in teams of two with strict instructions on how they were to carry out your command. 

Help us, Lord, to listen with our hearts when you wish to use us to accomplish the tasks that we may be sent to do by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Amen. 

The Son of Mary

And he went out of there; and he came into his own country; and his disciples followed him. And when the sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Where did this man get these things? What kind of wisdom is given to this man, and mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joseph, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own native place, among his own kin, and in his own house." He could not do any mighty works there, apart from that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. He was amazed at their unbelief. He went about the villages teaching.

"Talitha Koum"

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. 

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; Just have faith." He did not let anyone accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha Koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of the twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Lord Jesus, death itself has no power over you. Filled with love and compassion, you told Jairus not to be afraid and to have faith. You then entered room where the child was; took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha Koum," "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" And the child arose immediately.

Blessed be our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen.

The Unclean Spirit

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!") He asked him, "What is you name?" He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from the territory. 
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Consideration: The unclean spirit was very strong and could not be contained. The moment it caught sight of Jesus, it ran up and prostrated himself and identified Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. His name was Legion, the mouthpiece of a multitude of demons within him. He understood the power was Jesus, not the evil demon spirit he served...the devil.

The Word 0f Life

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven will be great."

Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life. You feed us with your Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to nourish us to be strong. You feed us with your words so that they reside in our hearts and the depth of our souls to lead us on the Way the Truth, and the Life. Amen.