(Click Here for Readings)
Gospel of Luke 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”?.....
While meditating on today's gospel reading, I can't help but think about the ISIS situation in Iraq and Syria. The situation is dire and worsening even with US air strikes. I pray daily for a resolution to the violence and oppression. I've never understood how anyone can conscientiously KILL in the name of God. It seems counter-intuitive to the concept of a God who cares and loves his creatures. It's more like killing in the name of Satan; a broken angel who's mission is to destroy human lives. Throughout history, factions of militant groups have attempted to take widespread control of the world. Think of the Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, Nazi Germany, and now militant Islam.
What if Jesus returned to earth for a brief visit? What would he think about the social and human rights situations in the world today (famine, poverty, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, religious persecution)? What would he think of militant Islam? Would he relate to what we're experiencing in comparison to what he experienced when he lived 2000+ years ago? I'm sure he'd relate and understand. He died on the cross for the salvation of our souls but it doesn't mean life remaining on earth will be free of evil.
Christians are presented with the challenge to fight evil with good. This means spreading love instead of hate; opting for charity instead of usury; and protecting life instead of promoting murder. Evil appears to have the upper hand, at least that's what the media wants us to think! However, there still is a lot of GOOD in the world. We have to try to focus on the good. Goodness relieves anxiety whereas evil/bad thoughts only enhances it!
Turn to the Lord in times of stress. Allow him to remove the evil and scorn from the heart and replace it with goodness and contentment.
-J.
What if Jesus returned to earth for a brief visit? What would he think about the social and human rights situations in the world today (famine, poverty, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, religious persecution)? What would he think of militant Islam? Would he relate to what we're experiencing in comparison to what he experienced when he lived 2000+ years ago? I'm sure he'd relate and understand. He died on the cross for the salvation of our souls but it doesn't mean life remaining on earth will be free of evil.
Christians are presented with the challenge to fight evil with good. This means spreading love instead of hate; opting for charity instead of usury; and protecting life instead of promoting murder. Evil appears to have the upper hand, at least that's what the media wants us to think! However, there still is a lot of GOOD in the world. We have to try to focus on the good. Goodness relieves anxiety whereas evil/bad thoughts only enhances it!
Turn to the Lord in times of stress. Allow him to remove the evil and scorn from the heart and replace it with goodness and contentment.
-J.
No comments:
Post a Comment