Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 22, 2024

Date: Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time  

 Scripture Text:  Mark 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today, as we continue reading Mark, recounts how the scribes sought to discredit Jesus’ work and miracles by claiming he was possessed by Beelzebul/Satan. Jesus responds by showing how absurd their claims were, “How can Satan drive out Satan?” – how can a “house divided stand?” Jesus’ last statement points to the one sin that will not be forgiven – attributing the work of the Spirit to Satan.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I dismiss the power and presence of the LORD at work in my life as “coincidence”?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere You and Your love are. There is no where we can go that You are not already there. Grant that we may be vigilant and see You in our moments, feel your power at work in our lives. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.