Thursday of the Third Week
Among the commands Jeremiah spoke: Listen to my voice ... Walk in my ways. But we are told “That this is the generation that does not listen to the voice of the Lord”. In a divided kingdom, ‘house will fall against house’. There will be darkness, pain, division, isolation, and misunderstanding.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the same problem. The ‘hard hearts” and ‘stiff necks’ miss the message that the ‘Kingdom of God has come upon you’ (11:20). Jesus teaches a Kingdom of Unity.
Jesus destroyed division and isolation; He restored relationships and built community. “Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke…” He was freed from isolation and able to relate with his family and friends. Jesus brought people together. His Kingdom is one of Unity; it brings power and healing. It is a force for forgiveness and understanding.
We are called to build The Kingdom of God. We build unity when we listen to remove isolation and bring people together. We work for God’s Kingdom when we are instruments in the healing process and channels for forgiveness. We too can bring unity, power, and healing as we help to build the Kingdom of God.
Prayer
God Creator and Father, I adore and worship You. Help me to listen, to reach out with kindness, to bring others together in Your Kingdom. I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Who lives with You in the Unity of the Holy Spirit One God forever and ever. Amen.
Janice Couture
Member of the SMC Worshipping Community
First Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-28
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Gospel: Luke 11:14-23
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