Tag: satan

“Repent, and believe in the gospel.”| First Sunday of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 1:12-15)

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Before Jesus came to Galilee, Mark tells us that he was driven into the desert by the Spirit, where he remained for forty days, among wild beasts and tempted by Satan. Angels ministered to him. The Spirit that impelled Jesus brought him to a place of physical isolation from others but in uninterrupted spiritual contact with his Father and the purpose for which he came. The presence in the desert apart from food and family and friends—every human comfort—meant that Jesus could confront Satan in a way that put that part of his mission behind him, breaking from times past and clearing the way for him—true God and true man—to announce that the time of fulfillment had at last come.

God, help me understand the promptings of the Holy Spirit that drove Jesus out into the desert. As part of the fulfillment of his mission of salvation, he faced temptation to take on himself all human temptation. In order to conquer death, he took on the sins of all humanity. In facing temptation and subjecting himself to the test at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Lord, who returns from the desert and proclaims your kingdom. Give me the grace, Lord, to grasp the big picture and my part in the covenant relationship you have made with your people.

From the responsorial psalm: “Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of old. In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.”

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.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Free lectio divina prayer guide: quarryapps.gumroad.com/l/jojqau

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 3:22-30)

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.”

The scribes say that Jesus drives out demons by the prince of demons and that he is possessed by Beelzebul, but Jesus refutes their argument, reducing it to absurdity. In the same way a house or kingdom cannot be divided and remain standing, Satan cannot rise up against himself and stand. Who speaks these words but the Jesus Christ in the trinitarian unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? The strong man Jesus refers to in the parable, the Holy Spirit, comes to dwell in the house of the body, where no evil can possess it. “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness,” Jesus says, “but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

God, you sent Jesus your Son to liberate all of humanity from the bondage of sin and evil. In this liberation, Jesus reconciles us to you and brings the hope of the resurrection, sharers in this gift. Right here at this moment in time, Jesus calls me by name to offer me the same. What is it to participate in the paschal mystery but to pick up my cross and follow him? In that unity with Christ, can I ever be broken from it except by my own free will? Help me, Lord, to remain in unity with you and make for the Holy Spirit an undivided place to dwell.

From the responsorial psalm: “Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Father in heaven, protect the lives of the unborn and give us courage to fight for the protection of all human life, especially life in the womb.

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.

“Whoever is not with me is against me.” | Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 11:15-26)

“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.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus responds to some among a crowd who believe he drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Although aware that he had just driven out a demon, others in the crowd ask him for a sign from heaven to test him. Jesus knows their thoughts and makes clear in challenging their logic that he is the source not of division but of unity. He says to them, “And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? . . . If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?” By asking that question, Jesus presents us with a fundamental choice and an invitation into his kingdom. He is, as he says, the one stronger than Satan who, by the finger of God, attacks and overcomes the kingdom of darkness and restores us to unity with his Father’s kingdom: “Whoever is not with me is against me,” Jesus says, “and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Father almighty, thank you for sending your Son to free me from the powers of darkness. Give me the grace today to arm myself in the struggle against evil. Everywhere, the day presents fundamental choices. As the psalmist says, “Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior, for you I wait all the day long.” Dwell in me, Lord; keep me safe from the darkness and division of the evil one. “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart.”

From the Gospel acclamation: “The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.” Lord, in your mercy, draw me to yourself!

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.

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 16:21-27)

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Jesus calls Peter Satan only a short time after he tells him “you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Peter, who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, rebukes Jesus for hearing and doing the will of the Father; namely, to undergo his passion, death, and resurrection for the salvation of the world. In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes on to tell Peter: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” There is no other way to eternal life except in the mystical body of Christ—through Him, with Him, and in Him.

Father in heaven, help me recognize my cross and pick it up. Give me the opportunity to be aware of you today in the people you place before me, through prayer, and in receiving the Eucharist. Rather than turn away from my cross, give me the grace to make it a means of participating in the redemptive suffering of your Son. In the mystery of this participation, instill in my heart with your love the hope of the resurrection and eternal life in the world to come.

From the second reading: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

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.

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

Jesus tells the disciples he is going away to the Father and that he will come back to them. For this, Jesus says, the disciples should rejoice if they love him. Preparing them for his ascension into heaven, Jesus tells the disciples that its time approaches. He says that he will no longer speak much with them because the ruler of the world, Satan, is coming. “He has no power over me,” Jesus says, “but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.” In telling the disciples that he is going away but that he will come back to them, Jesus reassures them that he has conquered Satan and that out of love he does his Father’s will by returning to him. The peace he leaves his disciples with is not as the world gives but the peace of his Father in heaven, whose power extends to all who believe in Jesus.

God, help me understand today’s Gospel. I place the words and events in time and space as I reflect on them, yet the peace that Jesus offers to the disciples, he offers to me. It is peace not as the world gives but comes from you, who are outside of time and space. Just as Satan has no power over your Son, who does your will, he has no power over me as long as I remain in your peace and do your will. The ruler of the world, Satan, comes every day on this earth, dividing individuals, families, and communities. Help me today, Lord, by remaining in me as I strive to remain in you, where Satan has no power.

Prince of Peace, give me the grace to know and do your will today and always.

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.

First Sunday of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert for the purpose of being tempted by the devil. Twice, Satan tempts Jesus beginning with the words “If you are the Son of God.” In Jesus’ many encounters with the evil spirits that he rebuked, the spirits recognize Jesus immediately by saying “I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” Satan knows well that Jesus is the Son of God; it is the Father of Lies who tries to weaken Jesus by questioning his divine identity. In the same way, the first reading from Genesis shows how Satan questioned Eve, weakening her reliance God’s word: “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?”

God, help me understand how to face temptations as Jesus did. He gives us the exact way to respond when tempted: not through argument buy by invoking your holy name. “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” And “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Jesus says to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” For every lie Satan presents to Jesus, he refutes it with truth, the word that comes forth from your mouth. By saying “Get away, Satan!” Jesus declares his divine authority as your Son. Just as you spoke light into existence, Jesus speaks and Satan leaves him.

When tempted, Lord, let me look to what follows as Jesus conquers temptation. “Then the devil left him,” Matthew says, “and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.” When I am tempted, Lord, and desire what I want when I want it, let your Spirit within me speak your name, my Lord and my God.

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.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

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