DAILY- HOMILY

September 4, 2018 – TUESDAY, 22ND Week in Ordinary Time

Green.

1 Cor 2: l0b- 16 / Lk 4:31 – 37

FROM THE 1ST READING:             1 Cor 2: l0b- 12

God has revealed it to us, through his Spirit, because the Spirit probes everything, even the depths of God.

Who but his own spirit knows the secrets of a person? Similarly, no one but the Spirit of God knows the secrets of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God and, through him, we understand what God in his goodness has given to us.

GOSPEL READING:           Lk 4: 31 - 37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and began teaching the people at the sabbath meetings. They were astonished at the way he taught them, for his word was spoken with authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by an evil spirit who shouted with a loud voice, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I recognize you: you are the Holy One of God." Then Jesus said to him sharply, "Be silent and leave this man!" The evil spirit then threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm.

Amazement seized all these people and they said to one another, "What does this mean? He commands evil spirits with authority and power. He orders, and you see how they come out!" And news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding area.

REFLECTION

In the first reading, St. Paul tells us that "no one but the Spirit of God knows the secrets of God." It is the Spirit of God through whom we know God. It is the Spirit of God who teaches us about God in our personal and communal prayer. It is the Spirit of God who inspired the writers of Sacred Scripture. It is in the Scriptures that God reveals himself to you as our almighty Creator, merciful Father, saving Redeemer and faithful Friend. In the Scriptures we get to know his Son Jesus so that we could love, imitate and follow him.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus uses his power to free a man possessed by an evil spirit. The Church affirms for us the reality of Satan and of evil. In his public ministry Jesus in so many occasions freed people of afflictions caused by evil spirits. By being tempted by the devil at the beginning of his public ministry, he showed us his humanity and taught us how to oppose evil.

In his letter to the Church at Ephesus, St. Paul wrote, "Be strong in the Lord with his energy and strength. Put on the armor of God to be able to resist the cunning of the devil. Our battle is not against human forces but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers that govern this world. We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil" (Eph 6: 10 - 12) And we are strong when God is with us.

Have a good day!

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