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When we begin to feel in its fullness the love of God, we begin also to love our neighbor in the experience of the Spirit. That is the love of which the Scriptures speak. For friendship according to the flesh breaks down too easily on the slightest pretext. The reason is that it lacks the bond of the Spirit.
- Diadochus of Photike, Gnostic Chapters, 15
(How to you experience the "bond of the Spirit" in your relationships? Pray that this bond may grow in relationships where you struggle.)
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Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Psalm 9:2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9
Lk 11:15-26
When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,
it roams through arid regions searching for rest
but, finding none, it says,
‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits
more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,
and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Next it goes out and returns with seven other spirits far worse than itself, who enter in and dwell there. The result is that the last state of the man is worse than the first.” —Luke 11:26
“No man can serve two masters” (Mt 6:24); there’s only room for one. That’s what Jesus refers to in today’s Gospel passage. We cannot be double-minded (see Jas 3:9ff). It’s important to empty ourselves of ungodly things and desires, but once that emptying is done, there is a vacuum, a void. Something will fill that void — either godly desires or ungodly ones. It’s so critical that we constantly, day by day, fill ourselves with
the things of God. The Lord says: “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Ps 81:11). The Holy Spirit wants to fill us (Acts 2:4).
Empty yourself of the things of the world, fill yourself with the things of God, and there will be no room for the demon and its seven companions in your soul. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, I give You my entire life, all my soul, all my strength, all my heart, and all my mind (Lk 10:27).
Promise: “The Lord sits enthroned forever; He has set up His throne for judgment.” —Ps 9:8
Presentation Ministries
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Growing in Inner Freedom: A Guide for Today
- by Philip St. Romain. Liguori Publ., 1986.
10. Avoid Approval-seeking
“Show no favoritism to your own discredit;
let no one intimidate you to your own downfall” (Sirach 4:22).
The spiritually free person is one who has overcome fear and is ready to love and learn during every moment of every day. Such a person has overcome the fear of rejection by others.
Jesus was such a person. Even his enemies remarked, “Teacher, we know you are a truthful man, unconcerned about anyone’s opinion. It is evident you do not act out of human respect but teach God’s way of life sincerely” (Mark 12:14). Jesus was not afraid to speak out because he was not trying to impress people. He was trying to win souls and to do what is right.
We must learn to be sensitive—but not subservient—to the opinion of others. After all, one of the ways we learn to love and accept ourselves is through the love and acceptance of others. But the ideal is eventually to grow in our love of God to such an extent that pleasing God is more important to us than pleasing other people.
Does this mean that we should strive to become indifferent to the opinions of others? Of course not!
We should be grateful when people give us positive feedback, especially if their affirmation is sincere and not mere flattery. But we should also give thanks to God, who has blessed us in so many ways to make us who we are.
It is also important to be attentive to negative feedback. Jesus himself was interested in what people said about him (see Matthew 16:13). Perhaps there will be something we can learn about ourselves and how we relate with others that will help us to become better persons.
The ideal is to be attentive to others’ opinions without becoming dependent on their approval, for people are capricious in their approval. Jesus was showered with praise on Palm Sunday by the same ones who called for his death on Good Friday. Surely we do not want to surrender the reins of our souls into such fickle hands!
Still, it is true that the criticism of others—especially those whom we love—can hurt us deeply. Judas’ betrayal and the cowardice of the apostles must have hurt Jesus very much. But our risen Lord—once rejected and despised—can now empathize with us during times when we, too, feel hurt by others (see Hebrews 4:15).
We shouldn’t worry, then, about whether or not other people like us. Some will and some won’t. If we love God above everything and people like us, then we have found true friends; if they don’t like us, then who needs such “friends”?
Also, let us be slow to defend our “honor” when insulted. Honor has been the cause of more stupid fights and hard feelings—all to no avail! Our honor is rooted in God’s unconditional love for us and not in the approval of others. We should speak the truth to clarify the issues involved if we must; but beyond this, as children of God, it is always best to turn the other cheek.
Suggested Practices
- Are you bothered by a sense of disapproval from others? In what ways are you bothered?
- When such disapproval of others does bother you, tell yourself, “God loves me no matter what.” Then, be open to learning something about yourself from those others.
- Remember: other people are there to be loved by you. not impressed with you.
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