Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself,
how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 11: 16-20

Here are the complete readings for Thursday, March 27, 2025

(“Christ and the Pharisees” by Anthony Van Dyck)

What makes us ignore good news? Why do we demean people who are earnestly trying to help others? Why do we respond to gestures of good faith by acting in bad faith? I don’t know, and it is too dismissive to just blame it on original sin or the failings of the human condition without further thought. Those theological realities are true for the believer, but when and why do they trigger in us these stiff necks and hard hearts, when what is needed is the opposite? Jesus invites us to reflect on what inside of us bothers us so much that we would want to put out someone else’s light. Perhaps when we feel the urge to be jealous, angry, or cynical, rather than deny our emotions we instead own them so that we may open our heart to the healing and conversion that needs to take place. Jesus reminds us this day that instead of being at war with or divided against ourselves, to accept our shortcomings and therefore accept our inherent goodness.

 Day by day
you will need to renew your response.
Do not become discouraged
over the difficulties you encounter
in your life of gospel service.
Knowing that difficulties would be your share,
your Founder judged:
that nothing special is achieved
without much labor, effort and zeal.
Remember,
Jesus, your brother,
has walked this path before you.
In you,
as Risen Lord,
He wants to walk this path again,
and His Spirit, the Spirit of God,
now guides you. – The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, you continue to reach out to me when all I say is “no” to you. Thank you for stirring within our hearts the desire to connect to you and to what is good. When we are tired and discouraged and want to turn away from moments that could bring us joy, give us the perseverance to step forward and the vulnerability to be open to authentic encounters of you in the presence of others. We are grateful for this day and the chance to be present to what is real and good in our time and space.

Amen