Harassment

Today’s Gospel Text: As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matt 9:32-38

Reflection: Who were these harassed and helpless lots and what were they harassed or helpless about?

How could Jesus say that they were like sheep without a shepherd?

Were not the high priest and the many priests in their time supposed to shepherd these people?

Yes, these children of Israel were harassed and helpless, in spite of having shepherds over them, and we just had an instance of one of them being harassed and helpless on account of a dumb spirit activity in him.

The high priest and the many priests were there but may have reached a point of modern day modernism and rationality that they failed to bring alive to them the faith that protects from harassment from the activity of the evil one and is able to set us free from such harassment and helplessness.

Hence, though there were shepherds in Israel, yet, they were no Shepherds for the sheep of God. They were busy accomplishing their own agenda’s, which may have even involved fattening of themselves on the flesh of the sheep which they are supposed to feed. (Ez. 34:1ff)

Sometimes as we reflect on our times, I wonder whether we have reached a similar situation in our time; for the situation seems no different and suddenly the ways of Pope Francis seems so different to us as he tries his best to feed the flock of Christ in all simplicity.

His simplicity points a glaring picture and is a sign of contradiction in the midst of the many who are used to the lavishness of the prince among the shepherds.

On the other hand there are also wolves waiting on the periphery of the church waiting to devour or lead these sheep into other so called 'sheepfolds'.

In all this we have a Chief shepherd in Christ Jesus who has assured us that he is with us, even to the end of times, not just with the church but with each individual. (Mt. 28:20) 

We have a hope to survive the ordeal of the moment and because of his protective presence with us, which we can freely avail of.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be faithful to you and your calling, even unto death.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Evil One

Today’s Gospel Text:  And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; 24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28

Reflection: So many teachers of scripture in our day and if only they knew how to handle the greatest and  real enemy of men, the evil spirits.

It would be still better if the world recognized the presence of evil spirits and knew how they act and work in this world and through living creatures.

Still more better if they knew how it defrauds us of God’s saving message in Christ Jesus and how Jesus is the only savior who can save us from the clutches of the evil one.

One proof of it is that he is the only one who elaborately exposes the working of the evil one and how he acts and what is his job.

Jesus was the only one whom he hated the most knowing that the sinless lamb along with all who would believe him will vanquish him in battle. (cfr. 1 Jn. 5:5) Jesus did the conquering by offering himself as a perfect sacrifice for the salvation of humanity.

The many wars and misunderstandings and the evil that we see around us is all on account of the evil one, with his minions, at work in the hearts and mind of people who have not totally surrendered their will to God in Christ Jesus.

They work in ways to bring about sicknesses pain and diseases, misunderstandings and bitterness, keep us thriving in the darkness, prevent us from knowing the truth about the one true God revealed by Christ Jesus and ultimately defraud us of salvation. 

    

“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12

Not that these evil spirits trouble only the others but they also trouble the ones who are faithful to Christ but the difference is this: those who are faithful to Christ know of his scheming and even if not, with their faithfulness to Christ they ultimately shall conquer him:

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

Prayer: “Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.  Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the Lord.  I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love, because thou hast seen my affliction, thou hast taken heed of my adversities, and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a broad place.” Ps 31:5-8

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us