First Reading (Jeremiah 7:23-28)
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
Thus says the Lord: I gave this command to the people, saying: Listen to 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. But 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. From 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. Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.
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. And 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.’
— The word of the Lord.
— Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Luke 11:14-23)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,’ while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we gather here in this church to reflect on the Word of God and how it applies to our daily lives. As we look at the chosen biblical passages for today, we are challenged to delve into the depth of Scripture and understand the importance of living according to God’s teachings.
Imagine, for a moment, that you are in a typical day of work or study. You are surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family members, each with their own burdens, joys, and challenges. It is in this context that Jeremiah’s words strike us: “This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God” (Jeremiah 7:28).
This statement by Jeremiah resonates in our current society, where we often forget to listen to God’s voice. We are so busy with our hectic lives, our personal ambitions, and the distractions of the world that we neglect our relationship with God and obedience to His commandments.
But God is calling us today to return to Him, to listen to His voice, and to follow His ways. He invites us to a life of obedience and communion with Him. And it is in the Gospel of Luke that we find a powerful example of this obedience.
In today’s gospel, Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man, and the crowd is amazed. But some of those present begin to question Jesus’ authority, attributing His miracles to the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus responds to them with strong words: “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).
In this response, Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God is present in His person and His mission. He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and has authority over all evil. He came to free the captives, heal the sick, and bring salvation to all.
Looking at this passage, we can draw some important lessons for our daily lives. First, just as Jesus cast out the demon and freed the mute man, we are also called to recognize and confront the forces of evil in our lives. We often find ourselves struggling with temptations, addictions, and bad habits that lead us away from God. We need to have courage and seek the liberation that only Jesus can offer us.
Furthermore, Jesus challenges us not to be indifferent to His presence and His power. He says, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23). We cannot sit on the fence, without truly choosing to follow Christ. We must take a clear and committed stand with Him, recognizing that He is the Lord of our lives.
In our daily lives, it may be tempting to seek superficial solutions to our problems or to rely on our own strength. But Jesus reminds us that only He has the power to truly set us free and bring us the peace we desire. We must be willing to rely on Him in all areas of our lives, seeking His will and trusting in His love.
And now, brothers and sisters, let us ask ourselves: how can we apply these lessons in our daily lives? How can we be true disciples of Jesus, following His authority and living according to His teachings?
One way is through strategic repetition and reinforcement of key themes. Just as a musician repeats a melody to emphasize its beauty, we must also repeat spiritual principles so that they are engraved in our hearts and become part of who we are.
For example, when Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Luke 11:23), He is reminding us of the importance of taking a clear stand regarding Him. We can repeat this phrase in our minds every day, reminding ourselves that we cannot be indifferent to His presence in our lives. We must choose to be with Him, renouncing everything that separates us from Him.
Furthermore, we can use metaphors and visual images to make the message more vivid and memorable. For example, we can imagine Jesus casting out the demon from the mute man as a symbol of Christ’s power to free us from the chains of sin and evil. This image helps us understand the magnitude of Jesus’ work and inspires us to trust in Him for our own liberation.
Another way to apply these lessons is through personal reflection and practical action. I invite each of you to set aside a moment of silence in your daily lives to connect with God, listen to His voice, and discern His will. Allow God to speak to your heart and show you areas where you need to surrender to Him and trust in His power.
Furthermore, I challenge you to act according to these lessons. Perhaps there are people in your life who are struggling with evil and need your help and encouragement. Be instruments of God to bring liberation and healing, sharing the love and truth of Christ with others.
And, finally, brothers and sisters, I encourage you to live with hope, grace, and love. Remember that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that in Him we find the fullness of joy and peace. No matter what challenges you face, put your trust in God and allow Him to guide your steps.
May we be a community of faithful disciples, willing to listen to God’s voice and follow His ways. May our lives be a living testimony to the transforming power of Christ within us. And may, as we surrender to Him, we experience true freedom and the fullness of the abundant life He offers us.
May God bless us all and give us the grace to live according to His will. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
