From the responsorial psalm: “Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 11:14-23, today’s readings)
“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.”
God says to his people through Jeremiah: “They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.” If they were not listening to God, who are they listening to? This is the same God who said: “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people.” Satan guards his palace, the scattered realm where evil holds power and people subject themselves or listen to a legion of voices. But when Jesus comes, he attacks and overcomes Satan and takes away his power so that once again God’s own people can see his face and hear his voice. “Whoever is not with me is against me,” says the Lord, “and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” O Most Holy Trinity, undivided unity, bring about your kingdom!
God, whatever I have in my possession that I allow Satan to guard, let Jesus come and take away. I want to hear your voice and turn to you to see your face. The psalmist sings, “Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.” For this, there is reason to joyfully sing hymns, to listen to you, Lord, and respond with joy to you who made me. Throughout the day, help me take to heart and sing in my soul this simple refrain: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
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.