Daily Readings - Thu Mar 08 2018

First Reading - Jeremiah 7.23-28

²³But on this matter I did instruct them, saying: Listen to my voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. And walk in the entire way that I have commanded you, so that it may be well with you²⁴But they did not listen, nor did they incline their ear. Instead, they walked by their own will and in the depravity of their own wicked heart. And so, they went backward, and not forward²⁵from the day when their fathers went forth from the land of Egypt, even to this day. And I have sent all my servants, the prophets, to you, throughout the day, rising at first light and sending them²⁶But they have not listened to me, nor have they inclined their ear. Instead, they have stiffened their neck, and they have behaved worse than their fathers did²⁷And so, you will speak to them all these words, but they will not listen to you. And you will call to them, but they will not respond to you²⁸And you will say to them: This is the nation that has not listened to the voice of the Lord their God, nor accepted discipline. Faith has perished and been taken away from their mouth

Gospel - Luke 11.14-23

Luke

Chapter 11

¹⁴And he was casting out a demon, and the man was mute. But when he had cast out the demon, the mute man spoke, and so the crowds were amazed¹⁵But some of them said, "It is by Beelzebub, the leader of demons, that he casts out demons.¹⁶And others, testing him, required a sign from heaven of him¹⁷But when he perceived their thoughts, he said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself will become desolate, and house will fall upon house¹⁸So then, if Satan is also divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebub that I cast out demons¹⁹But if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your own sons cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges²⁰Moreover, if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then certainly the kingdom of God has overtaken you²¹When a strong armed man guards his entrance, the things that he possesses are at peace²²But if a stronger one, overwhelming him, has defeated him, he will take away all his weapons, in which he trusted, and he will distribute his spoils²³Whoever is not with me, is against me. And whoever does not gather with me, scatters

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.