07/03/2024

Trick questions are usually asked of Jesus by those who felt threatened by his words and deeds. Those present at today's curing of the dumb man know that they had witnessed a miracle. As they try to make sense of what their eyes had seen and their ears had heard an opinion arose that it is through the power of Beelzebub that Jesus is able to command "devils" to obey him.

None of us can deny the logic of Jesus' rejoinder to the murmuring . For us, 2000 years later, it is a very small step for us to take from this to look at the state of the Institutional Church as she has been over the centuries since Jesus told us that "the kingdom of God has overtaken you". 

 In the very first days in Jerusalem arguments arose among the brothers. The apostles had quarrelled about personal power even when they walked behind Jesus on the final ascent to Jerusalem. Six hundred years before the Incarnation, Jeremiah had delivered God's message to the "nation that will not listen to the voice of its Lord their God nor take correction. Sincerity is no more, it has vanished from their mouths." We all still need to listen to that message today.

Jesus broke the power of the "strong man" but we have found him again in the depths of our being and have given him back his power by continuing to say "yes" to the Devil, the World and the Flesh by saying "no" to God. Each one of us has to be and can be perfect in our human freedom "even as your Father who art in heaven is perfect" and it is only by each one of us turning back to Father, Son and Holy Spirit that the face of the Earth will be renewed and we will reach the never ending holiness of God who art in Heaven.

Dear Lord, let me overcome all the sinfulness of which I am capable. Let me come near to you and let the Body of Christ on Earth be in the sincere spiritual community that can be found also within the corruption that has always disfigured your own Earthly foundation. May Our Lady who as carrier of your growing embryo can be considered the Church's prefoundation in your humanity continue to lead the heavenly body of which you are the head in praise and pleading for the second coming which will complete your will for material creation. Maranatha. Lord Jesus come. Amen