Monday, 23 January, 2023 Third Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel  : Mk 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,

"He is possessed by Beelzebul," and

"By the prince of demons he drives out demons."

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,

"How can Satan drive out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house is divided against itself,

that house will not be able to stand.

And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,

he cannot stand;

that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property

unless he first ties up the strong man.

Then he can plunder his house.  

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies

that people utter will be forgiven them.

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit

will never have forgiveness,

but is guilty of an everlasting sin."

For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Reflection:

The scribes from Jerusalem who were Jesus’ severest critics maliciously charged Jesus of performing exorcism by demonic power. However, Jesus responded by pointing out that a divided kingdom or a divided household can never stand. It is typical of someone envious or insecure to shut their eyes to the goodness seen in others or if they happened to see, somehow, they would depreciate or undervalue it. While we make every effort to build God’s kingdom within our reach in our specific ministries; what is our attitude towards the success or accomplishments of our colleagues or confreres? Do we scale our achievements in relation to those of others? Do we have the spiritual maturity to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn? 

Action Plan: 

Give to others the benefit of doubt and avoid speaking ill of others.