Jesus Smiling
(Joel 1:13, 2:1-2; Psalm 9:2-3, 6 AND 16, 8-9; Luke 11:15-26)
Today’s readings leave one a bit perplexed, or worse yet, a bit fearful. An unclean spirit whereupon taking leave of a man eventually returns and finds “it’s home is swept clean and put in order, it then brings back seven more wicked spirits and the man is left in worse condition than before.
So what is Jesus telling us here about evil spirits? At first blush we can see that evil spirits believe human beings (our bodies, mind and heart) are their home. However, 1 John 4:4 tells us “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” So make no mistake about it my friends – Jesus Christ dwells within us and our body is not the home of these evil spirits. However, we must become an active participate and invite him to fully live within us.
Secondly, it seems that the man in today’s Gospel is living a good life, after all, his internal being has been swept clean and put in order. Let’s place this in proper context. Jesus lived among the Greeks, the Romans and the Jews – all of whom sought internal cleanliness and order. The Greeks sought wisdom through their philosophy, the Romans sought the “good life” by adhering to proper morality and honor, and the Jews sought righteousness through the law. By living as such, they believed internal cleanliness and order was theirs; however, without the God in their hearts they were left vulnerable to evil spirits.
Today we see individuals seeking the “good life” without inviting Christ to flourish in their heart. A quick look at humanity and we see billions of people practice various non-Christian world religions (sadly, only 31.5% of the world is Christian). Also, we see people practice yoga, believe in “oneness”, eat organic, seek inner peace, meditate, practice positive affirmations, read self-help books (they continually top the best-selling list), hire “life coaches”, and on the list goes. We are not much different from the Greeks, Romans or Jews of Jesus’ time inasmuch as we seek false idols who will leave us vulnerable to evil once it shows up – and it will show up my friends.
Today’s first reading today, combined with our Psalm reveal to us the correct steps necessary to invite God in our hearts, thus causing evil to flee. God, through the prophet Joel, calls the priests and ministers of the altar first to cleanse themselves and put on sackcloth. You see, these individuals hold significant spiritual authority and ability to either lead the flock astray or towards God, their purity of spirit is of utmost necessity. (No wonder Pope Francis repeatedly asks us to pray for him – I LOVE our Pope!). Then God calls the assembly and the elders to come and cry to the Lord. How many of our modern-day leaders cry to the Lord – sadly I fear it is a small minority. This is why we must pray for our leaders. Then God calls all who dwell in the land – that’s us my friends. We are called to cry to the Lord, give him thanks, with all our heart declare his wonderous deeds, and sing his praises!
Once God has occupied our hearts nothing else can live there because His house will never be divided. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” So let’s be with Jesus today and every day. True growth and happiness is found in him and we have a plethora of avenues in which to find him within our Catholic faith. I love being Catholic!!!
Jesus – we cry to you, watch over Pope Francis, our priests, our leaders and all of us, protect us from evil and draw us ever nearer to you! Thank you Jesus.
