Temptation may be an invitation to hell, but much more is it an opportunity to reach heaven. At the moment of temptation, sin and righteousness are both very near the Christian; but, of the two, the latter is the nearer.
... Charles H. Brent (1862-1929)
(What temptations pull on you lately? Call on God during these times of struggle, and you will be given what is needed to remain faithful.)
|
Gn 32:23-33; Psalm 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15
Mt 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Reflection on the Scriptures
In today’s reading, Matthew recounts a story in which a “demoniac” who could not speak was brought to Jesus. Jesus drove out the man’s demon and he was subsequently able to speak. The reading continues by noting that although the crowds were truly amazed by this miracle, the Pharisees who were most likely motivated by hate, jealousy, and/or fear claimed that Jesus was only able to accomplish this feat through
the power of Satan. I find it interesting that Matthew notes nothing about Jesus standing up for his reputation or fighting back against the Pharisees. Instead, we see Jesus moving on to other towns and villages as he continued to teach and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and cure every disease and illness. And despite the large crowds and the adulation, Jesus maintains the ability to connect with those who were troubled and abandoned. In fact, Matthew mentions that at the sight of the
crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them. So, rather than being angry at those questioning him or indifferent to the suffering of those less fortunate, Jesus maintained compassion toward others. He truly cared for those in need and wanted to help, but he needed help as well. Thus, the call for more laborers to assist with the harvest.
Folks, Jesus is calling us as well. He needs our help to spread his message. And he has modeled for us how to go forth - to help those who are suffering and to do so without anger or resentment, but with compassion.
I ask God that I continue to hear, to see, and to witness Him in my everyday life. To heed his call to be a laborer and to spread His message through my daily interactions with others; especially those who are troubled and feel abandoned and to do so as Jesus taught us – with compassion.
- by Mike Kavan
The Son of God Became Human
From The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part One, Section Two, Chapter Three
Article 8: I Believe in the Holy Spirit
III. GOD'S SPIRIT AND WORD IN THE TIME OF THE PROMISES
702 From the beginning until "the fullness of time,"60 the joint mission of the Father's Word and Spirit remains hidden, but it is at work. God's Spirit prepares for the time of the Messiah. Neither is fully revealed but both are already promised, to be watched for and welcomed at their manifestation. So, for this reason, when the Church reads the Old Testament, she searches there for what the Spirit,
"who has spoken through the prophets," wants to tell us about Christ.61
By "prophets" the faith of the Church here understands all whom the Holy Spirit inspired in living proclamation and the composition of the sacred books, both of the Old and the New Testaments. Jewish tradition distinguishes first the Law (the five first books or Pentateuch), then the Prophets (our historical and prophetic books) and finally the Writings (especially the wisdom literature, in particular the
Psalms).62
In creation
(Footnote references in the Catechism.)
|
|
