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Message of the Day
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The Present is the point at which Time touches Eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience analogous to the experience which [God] has of reality as a whole; in it alone, freedom and actuality are offered them. He would therefore have them continually concerned either with Eternity (which means being concerned with Him) or with the Present—either meditating on their eternal union with, or separation from, Himself;
or else obeying the present voice of conscience, bearing the present cross, receiving the present grace, giving thanks for the present pleasure.
- C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), The Screwtape Letters Be Here Now in Love
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Readings of the Day
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2 Timothy 1:1-8
Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10 Mark 3:22-30 The scribes who
had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into
a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in
him.’ USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“If a kingdom is torn by civil strife, that kingdom cannot last.” —Mark 3:24
According to Jesus’ words, the Church in a state of division will not survive (Mk 3:24). “If a household is divided according to loyalties, that
household will not survive” (Mk 3:25). However, we know that the Church will last forever because the Lord has promised this (see Mt 16:18). Therefore, we know the Church will be united. This unity will be achieved (Eph 2:15) by God’s grace, accepted by faith, and expressed in repentance.
How will the Holy Spirit convict us of our sins of division in the body of Christ? One of the outstanding ways in which the Spirit will lead us to repent may be related to the massacre of
millions of babies through abortion. Many people have come to realize that a united Church would have used her God-given authority to prevent and stop abortion. Hence the results of our disunity are not minimal but catastrophic. If this doesn’t motivate us to repent, we must not love babies, their parents, or the Lord, their Creator and Savior. When we are in unity, we are in power. When Christians are in power, we are not trapped in a “culture of death” (Pope St. John Paul
II) but instead we usher in a “civilization of love” (Pope St. Paul VI) and of life. To choose life, we must choose unity and repentance. Repent! (Mt 3:2, RSV-CE) Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to make us one as You and Jesus are one (Jn 17:21). Promise: “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and
wise.” —2 Tm 1:6-7 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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Dilexi Te: On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ, by Pope Francis (completed by Pope Leo XIII), 2025.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html
CHAPTER TWO
ACTIONS AND WORDS OF LOVE
32. The heart of Christ, as the symbol of the deepest and most personal source of his love for us, is the very core of the initial preaching of the Gospel. It stands at the origin of
our faith, as the wellspring that refreshes and enlivens our Christian beliefs. ACTIONS THAT REFLECT THE HEART 37. If we find it hard to trust others because we have been hurt by lies, injuries and disappointments, the Lord whispers in our ear: “Take heart, son!” (Mt 9:2), “Take heart, daughter!” (Mt 9:22). He encourages us to overcome our fear and to realize that, with him at our side, we have nothing to lose. To Peter, in his
fright, “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him”, saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31). Nor should you be afraid. Let him draw near and sit at your side. There may be many people we distrust, but not him. Do not hesitate because of your sins. Keep in mind that many sinners “came and sat with him” (Mt 9:10), yet Jesus was scandalized by none of them. It was the religious élite that complained and treated him as “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and sinners” (Mt 11:19). When the Pharisees criticized him for his closeness to people deemed base or sinful, Jesus replied, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). 38. That same Jesus is now waiting for you to give him the chance to bring light to your life, to raise you up and to fill you with his strength. Before his death, he assured his disciples, “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you
will see me” (Jn 14:18-19). Jesus always finds a way to be present in your life, so that you can encounter him. |
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