Dear Brother and Sister in Christ,
We are on the March 16, 2023 in the 3rd Thursday of Lent. Today’s Mass readings and reflection on Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23. The Main theme of these readings is Walk and prosper!
Main Theme of the Day: Walk and prosper!
Table of Contents
Readings of the Day
| First Reading | Jeremiah 7:23-28 |
| Gospel Reading | Lk 11:14-23 |
Reflection for the Day
Focus: Stubbornness is one big block that hinders openness to truth and acceptance of it. Ignorant people can be taught and wise people as well. But the stiff-necked people are hard to teach, correct and guide
1. Struggle between God’s unfailing fidelity and people’s recurrent infidelity characterizes the whole salvation history. God was abundantly merciful toward them; works mighty works in their lives; and blesses them with prosperity and victory. He teaches and guides them through prophets. But repeatedly people become ungrateful, stubborn, disobedient, and unfaithful
2. This infidelity of people is so vividly described in the first reading from Jeremiah. They did not obey or incline their ear. They stiffened their neck. They did not accept discipline. Truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips. They walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil hearts. They were so fluctuating and regressing, going backwards and not forwards
3. The same stiff-necked and defiant mentality continues in Jesus’ time too. All his teaching and preaching fell on the deaf ears of his people. His mighty miracles fail to evoke in them a positive response. They not only refuse to believe him; further, they constantly trouble and persecute him. They make wrong attributions. They attribute his miracles to a coalition with Satan. They accuse him that he casts out demons by Beezebul, the prince of demons
4. The people of his time are no different from their predecessors. Little do they realize that good and faith cannot come from Satan who is all evil. They are blind to the truth that every harm and destruction belongs to evil. All that is good, healing, and constructive can come only from God
5. Jesus cannot expel demons with the help of their leader. Jesus is able to heal not because he works in tie-up with the evil but because he is more powerful than the evil one. Jesus is that stronger one in the gospel. He attacks and overcomes the strong man who is Satan. He takes away his armour and wins back those under the evil’s siege. The healing of the possessed mute man is a clear indicator of this surpassing power of Jesus.
Direction: Let us not repeat history. Let us not become the descendants of those still-necked people who were so adamant, defiant, and disobedient. Let us hearken to God’s call: “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people”.
Note
Hope you had a good experience reading the catholic reflection for the day. With another inspiring message we shall meet in the next post. Stay Tuned in Biblemsg.com Thank You.
