11 October 2019 - sharing the spoils

Saint John XXIII

Today's Readings

(Audio)

"When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,
it roams through arid regions searching for rest
but, finding none, it says,
'I shall return to my home from which I came.'

Do we sometimes feel like we are playing spiritual wack-a-mole? Do we get some temporary freedom only to find the same problems resurfacing later on? We need Jesus to help us if we want durable change. Jesus drives out demons by the finger of God. He is able to free us from captivity to sin and Satan. He is able bring us into the palace of his love, to guard us, and to keep us safe. There is no one greater who can challenge him.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (see First John 4:4).

We imagine we have been turning to Jesus for help, but have we really? Do we honestly bring our hearts before him or do we just nod tacitly in his direction? We need to do more than rubber stamp our own efforts with a semi-conscious prayer in his direction.

Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

We need to be with Jesus, to be fully on board with him, to be all in, in order to share in his victory. Sometimes we need to take drastic action to signify this, provided such action reflects what is happening in our hearts.

Proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the elders,
all who dwell in the land,
Into the house of the LORD, your God,
and cry to the LORD!

Jesus wants to reach out his hand to us, the hand which has on it the finger of God that conquers sin. He is in fact reaching toward us right now. But we stand at a distance. We are thankful for the concern, happy that he is looking, but still intent on going our own way. Yet our sin and addictions are like demons at our door. Without the victory of Christ we can't keep them at bay. Let us receive the healing touch of Jesus and invite him inside to fortify us with his strength.

But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.