Menu
First Reading: Gal 3:7–14
Brothers and sisters:
Realize that it is those who have faith
who are children of Abraham.
Scripture, which saw in advance that God
would justify the Gentiles by faith,
foretold the good news to Abraham, saying,
Through you shall all the nations be blessed.
Consequently, those who have faith are blessed
along with Abraham who had faith.
For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse;
for it is written, Cursed be everyone
who does not persevere in doing all the things
written in the book of the law.
And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear,
for the one who is righteous by faith will live.
But the law does not depend on faith;
rather, the one who does these things will live by them.
Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,
for it is written, Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,
that the blessing of Abraham might be extended
to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,
so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and
R./ The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the Lord,
exquisite in all their delights.
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the Lord.
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Gospel Reading: Lk 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?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
"When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,
it roams through arid regions searching for rest
but, finding none, it says,
'I shall return to my home from which I came.'
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits
more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,
and the last condition of that man is worse than the first."
Dear friends,
We hate being pushed out of our comfort zone. Psychologists say we all have a comfort zone. It’s about our relationships, environment and beliefs. It refers to the newspapers and radio we listen to. We usually hear opinions that we agree with because they just express what we already think. We feel comfortable in our comfort zone. Psychologists say we have to get out of it to grow. We have to talk to different people, visit new places, listen to other opinions and be open to new experiences. This is the only way to grow.
People who followed Jesus were upset by what he did. They could have felt Jesus was a new and saving presence. They stayed in their comfort zone. They looked for a solution. Jesus did these things because he was serving the chief of the demons. Jesus was freeing people from evil, but they thought this was just an act. In fact, Jesus was working for Beelzebub. This let them keep control of people’s relationship with God. They didn’t need to change. They could carry on as usual.
The Gospel shows us that Jesus is shocking. He challenges us to think differently and look for new solutions. The usual is no longer valid. The Kingdom speaks of a new reality. If we have always said ‘an eye for an eye’, perhaps it is time to look for new ways to achieve greater justice and fraternity. Perhaps it is time to think that things can change for the better.
Godgossip
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
faith is all that matters to save us.
We know it, and yet we seek proofs.
Help us to believe in you
on seeing your works:
your creation, your power,
your goodness that we encounter in people.
Grant us to live in trust
with the uncertain certainty of faith,
believing, hoping, loving,
and trusting that you have set us free
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
Abraham, our Father in the faith, was a man who lived according to the Gospel before Jesus proclaimed his Good News. He trusted God; he followed God's call without questioning God and demanding proofs. All he got was a promise to believe in, and of that promise he himself —as God told him—would never see the fulfillment.
Gospel Introduction
In sharp contrast, with Abraham, the people of the promise in Jesus' time challenged and questioned him, especially the religious leaders. Even the signs of liberation from evil that Jesus gave them did not impress them as signs to believe in. What is our attitude toward the signs of God's care in our lives?
General Intercessions
– That like Abraham, our Father in the faith, Christians may put themselves trustingly into God's hands, we pray:
– That by the grace of God, we may be good people who are a blessing to others, we pray:
– That our hearts may not be divided, but that we try to live sincerely the way of the Gospel, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
our faith reassures us
that Jesus your Son,
already present in this community of faith,
will give himself to us in person
in these signs of bread and wine.
Strengthen our faith,
that we may sow and gather
on the side of your Son
and with him live in your love,
now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God, we thank you
for nourishing our hesitant faith
with the Word of your Son
and with his bread of strength.
Engrave his message in our hearts
that it can never be erased
and keep us going without any need
of proofs and signs,
in the certainty that you love us
and that, even in trials and challenges,
you will lead us home to you
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
"Lord, make our faith grow!" That should be our cry from the heart. We ask the Lord for a deep faith that accepts him on his Word and that lets his message and his person guide our lives. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
