Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11, 14-23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
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.
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.”
Speaking Heals
1. Silence. One of the greatest challenges we face is silence. Staying silent can make a problem seem much larger than it actually is or even create a conflict where none exists. Today, take a moment to ask yourself: Are your current struggles simply the result of things left unsaid? It is vital to speak about what’s happening to you and what’s weighing on your heart. You need to speak up—first, to see if there really is a problem, and second, to finally put that problem to rest.
2. Signs. We frequently ask God for signs, but we want them to fit our expectations. As we journey through life, we realize that God is continually giving us signs to guide our path. Those signs are already present in your life; it’s up to you to notice and embrace them.
3. Division. I once heard that quarrels are initiated by the weak but concluded by the strong. Don’t be afraid to resolve conflicts, but keep in mind that sometimes only time can truly settle them. Ask God for the insight to handle whatever challenges arise and learn to respect other people’s timing, since resolving disagreements requires effort from both sides.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
