Thu Mar 24, 2022

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 The world rejects God's word in hardness of heart; God calls the world in Christ to a change of heart.

Today's readings begin with the prophet Jeremiah's word from God to the people who “have walked in the hardness of their evil hearts” from the days of Moses, disobeying the messages of the prophets, including Jeremiah. Jeremiah is instructed to call out his people's rejection of God's word: “Say to them: This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.”

Psalm 95 is David's call to worship the Lord with joyful song and praise, and listen to God's voice as the flock He shepherds, without hardness of heart.

The Gospel reading (Lk 11:14-23) tells how Jesus is accused of driving out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Our Lord calls out His accusers' lack of understanding – an evil kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Indeed, he has come to overpower the demonic strongman, to take away his armor and divide his spoils. Jesus is Lord, and tells them, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Lord Jesus, show me where I fail to listen to Your voice, that I might repent and follow You more closely. Show me where I fail understand Your Gospel in my life and relationships with others, and transform the hardness in my heart. Help me, by the power of Your Spirit, to submit my reasoning, heart and will to Your Lordship in all things, that You may use me more fully for the work of Your Kingdom. You who live and reign forever as Lord. Amen.

Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032422.cfm


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