Word to the Wise
Monday, January 22, 2024 - Monday in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 5:1-7, 10 and Mark 3:22-30]The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons." Summoning them, [Jesus] began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand...." [Mark]
JANUARY 22 DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN [Monday in the 3rd week in Ordinary Time]
The story of Jesus and the family "intervention" is interrupted by another story of Jesus' rejection by the religious authorities of his time - the scribes - who attack him on the basis of his power to cast out demons. Scribes always called on an authority beyond themselves to make a point. They tried to say that Jesus' authority came from the most powerful demon of all - Beelzebub. Jesus responds that their argument doesn't make any sense. Why would Satan want to drive out his own powers? No, Jesus acted on his OWN authority.
The scribes in question came from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish faith. Jesus is headed for Jerusalem. Eventually, the religious authorities will find a way to get rid of him. We already know that some of them were already scheming with "the Herodians" (partisans of the local ruler installed by the Romans) to "put him to death!" What they do not realize is that death has no power over Jesus. They and the disciples will learn this only with Jesus' resurrection. In the meantime, we join in the journey with Jesus and see how the opposition is developing. AMEN
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