THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday in the third week in Ordinary time, 2022

1Sam 5:1-7,10

Ps 89

Mark 3:22-30

Memorial of St. Francis de Sales

A house divided against itself

Dear friends in Christ, you may by providence find yourself in a position to determine what happens to someone who has made himself or herself your enemy, either directly or indirectly, what will you do? Today we celebrate the memorial of St Francis de Sales. He was ordained to the priesthood despite the opposition of his Father. He preached with effectiveness bringing back many who had left the Church. He became the Bishop of Geneva and spent the rest of his life reforming, reorganizing the diocese, and caring for souls. 

The gospels suggest that different people responded to Jesus in very different ways. Some recognized God at work in him and responded to him with great openness. Others saw him very differently, however. 

In this morning’s gospel reading (Mk 3:22-30), some experts in the Jewish Law declare that it is Satan who is working through Jesus, not God; this is the unforgivable sin that Jesus speaks about at the end of the gospel reading. Jesus seems to be saying that those who look upon complete goodness and declare that it is evil are beyond repentance and therefore beyond forgiveness. They have closed themselves completely to God’s approach. 

The gospels suggest that human beings are capable of every conceivable response to God’s presence in Jesus, from tremendous openness to complete rejection. We spend our lives growing in our response to the Lord’s presence and the Lord’s call. There is always another step to be taken in our relationship with the Lord, as someone like Peter learned. The good news is that the Lord continues to call us and continues to wait on our ever more generous response and will exploit any opening we give him for our ultimate salvation.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you are my hope and salvation. Be the ruler of my heart and master of my home. May there be nothing in my life that is not under your lordship. Amen.

+Remain blessed