Readings for Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: Galatians 3:7-14
The thrust of St. Paul’s argument in this part of his letter to the Galatians is that Christians (especially Gentiles/Pagan converts) are brought to salvation (justified before God) by faith, not observance of Mosaic Law (including, according to the “Judiacizers” circumcision). The apostle points out that they are all “children of Abraham”, receiving his blessing (see Genesis 18:18).
St. Paul argues that those who depend upon works of the law, essentially trying to “earn” salvation have been cursed by the law quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. Salvation, he argues comes from faith in Christ who died upon the cross, taking upon himself that curse that we no longer have to bear (the reference made here relates to Deuteronomy 21:23, a reference to criminals executed publicly).
St. Paul makes these arguments to refute those who have told them that it is only through observance of Mosaic Law that they my come appropriately to faith in Christ. St. Paul tells them clearly that faith in Christ is sufficient; justification and salvation come through faith and the spirit.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Psalm 111 is a hymn of thanksgiving. In this selection we find the singer giving thanks for God’s guidance and His works of creation and salvation. References to the covenant in these strophes relate directly to the promises made to Abraham and his decedents.
Gospel: Luke 11:15-26
In this selection from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Lord is challenged by his critics who say that he has power over evil spirits because he is in league with Satan, their master. Jesus refutes this idea asking “if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” He then tells his audience that God is stronger than Satan which is why he is able to cast them out.
The passage concludes with subtle but important message that says in essence – if an evil that tortures the spirit is removed and strength from God is not substituted to fill it up, that evil will return, worse than before.
Reflection:
We reflect today on the strength that can come only from God. There is a constant battle raging around us and in us. The prince of darkness, Satan is real, his intentions are destructive, he longs for the fall of all creation, so great is his hatred of the God who cast him down into the pit.
We may struggle at times with accepting the active role the Lord plays in our lives, but we do not have to look far to see people, even family members, were the Lord has not found purchase. In those people Satan has been able to use the fallen human nature to advance his cause. The most radical example is the psychopath whose conscience has been completely buried. But we see others who are like the passage from the Gospel “…swept clean and put in order”. In these hollow individuals, with no spiritual protection, the evil one can easily find a home.
Even if such a one has had a conversion experience and turned away from that dark place, if God is not put strongly in place, that evil will return, stronger than before. We see this most clearly in those suffering from addiction. The hole created by the loss of that addiction must be filled; if not by God then something much, much worse.
These are, of course, radical examples of individuals who have fought and lost the battle between the forces of God and those of Satan. The enemy is working diligently to increase his gains and some days we think he seems to be winning. But we are called to be the bastion of light, the army of God, fearlessly bringing the light of Christ to dark places.
Today we pray that our fight against those who love the darkness will make gains. We pray that those hollow people we encounter will be filled, at least in part, with the light we bring to them. The evil one never sleeps, may we likewise be constantly vigilant.
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1: Galatians 3:7-14
The thrust of St. Paul’s argument in this part of his letter to the Galatians is that Christians (especially Gentiles/Pagan converts) are brought to salvation (justified before God) by faith, not observance of Mosaic Law (including, according to the “Judiacizers” circumcision). The apostle points out that they are all “children of Abraham”, receiving his blessing (see Genesis 18:18).
St. Paul argues that those who depend upon works of the law, essentially trying to “earn” salvation have been cursed by the law quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. Salvation, he argues comes from faith in Christ who died upon the cross, taking upon himself that curse that we no longer have to bear (the reference made here relates to Deuteronomy 21:23, a reference to criminals executed publicly).
St. Paul makes these arguments to refute those who have told them that it is only through observance of Mosaic Law that they my come appropriately to faith in Christ. St. Paul tells them clearly that faith in Christ is sufficient; justification and salvation come through faith and the spirit.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Psalm 111 is a hymn of thanksgiving. In this selection we find the singer giving thanks for God’s guidance and His works of creation and salvation. References to the covenant in these strophes relate directly to the promises made to Abraham and his decedents.
Gospel: Luke 11:15-26
In this selection from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Lord is challenged by his critics who say that he has power over evil spirits because he is in league with Satan, their master. Jesus refutes this idea asking “if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” He then tells his audience that God is stronger than Satan which is why he is able to cast them out.
The passage concludes with subtle but important message that says in essence – if an evil that tortures the spirit is removed and strength from God is not substituted to fill it up, that evil will return, worse than before.
Reflection:
We reflect today on the strength that can come only from God. There is a constant battle raging around us and in us. The prince of darkness, Satan is real, his intentions are destructive, he longs for the fall of all creation, so great is his hatred of the God who cast him down into the pit.
We may struggle at times with accepting the active role the Lord plays in our lives, but we do not have to look far to see people, even family members, were the Lord has not found purchase. In those people Satan has been able to use the fallen human nature to advance his cause. The most radical example is the psychopath whose conscience has been completely buried. But we see others who are like the passage from the Gospel “…swept clean and put in order”. In these hollow individuals, with no spiritual protection, the evil one can easily find a home.
Even if such a one has had a conversion experience and turned away from that dark place, if God is not put strongly in place, that evil will return, stronger than before. We see this most clearly in those suffering from addiction. The hole created by the loss of that addiction must be filled; if not by God then something much, much worse.
These are, of course, radical examples of individuals who have fought and lost the battle between the forces of God and those of Satan. The enemy is working diligently to increase his gains and some days we think he seems to be winning. But we are called to be the bastion of light, the army of God, fearlessly bringing the light of Christ to dark places.
Today we pray that our fight against those who love the darkness will make gains. We pray that those hollow people we encounter will be filled, at least in part, with the light we bring to them. The evil one never sleeps, may we likewise be constantly vigilant.
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