DAILY- HOMILY

March 23, 2017 – THURSDAY, 3rd Week of Lent

St. Toribio de Mogrovejo, Bishop 

Violet

Jer 7:23 - 28 I Lk 11: 14 - 23

     Born in Spain, St. Toribio of Mogrovejo (1538 -1606) established ecclesiastical discipline in Latin America as Archbishop of Lima.

FROM THE 1ST READING:     Jer 7:23- 24

     One thing I did command them: Listen to my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in the way I command you and all will be well with you. But they did not listen and paid no attention; they followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away from me.

GOSPEL READING:             Lk 11: 14- 23

     One day Jesus was driving out a dumb demon. When the demon had been driven out, the mute person could speak, and the people were amazed. Yet some of them said, "He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the chief of the demons!" So others wanted to put him to the test by asking him for a heavenly sign.

     But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall. If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebub? If I drive them out by Beelzebub, by whom do your fellow members drive out demons? They themselves will give you the answer.

     "But suppose I drive out demons by the finger of God; would this not mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you? As long as the strong and armed man guards his house, his goods are safe. But when the stronger one attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on and disposes of his spoils.

     "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

REFLECTION

     In the first reading Yahweh reminds Israel to listen to him and to obey his commands, and all will be well with them. But, instead, they turned away from him and refused to follow his commands.

     In the Gospel reading Jesus restores speech to a mute man, driving out the demon which made him mute. His enemies among the leader of the Jews claim he drove out the demon by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus shows them clearly he did not do wonders by the power of Beelzebub but the finger of God and that "the kingdom of God had come upon them."

     God's power is clearly stronger than that of Beelzebub and his evil forces.

     Have I experienced the saving power of God in my life? What makes it difficult for me to see God's finger in my life? Have I been obedient to God's ways and commands? Have I become mute in speaking and spreading God's truth?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     AILEEN SERRANO 

     FEDERICO CALERO 

     ROSE MARIE TIU

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     RAUL & SUSAN AQUINO

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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