A House Divided

Preparing for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany: One Day before Sunday (Year C)

Scripture

Psalm 36:5-10; Jeremiah 4:1-4; Luke 11:14-23

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Prayer

You challenge us to follow you; not by staying as we are but by stepping out in faith, casting our net into deeper water as with Simon Peter, fisherman. You challenge us to trust you and be prepared for all eventualities, even when the load is heavy and we struggle to succeed. But with your challenge comes blessing. Flimsy nets are filled, broken lives made whole. From emptiness to abundance. Thank you for your challenge Grant us courage to follow. Amen. (Faith and Worship)

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Reflection

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?—for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters (Luke 11:14-23).

In his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln stated ‘A House divided against itself cannot stand.” That thought was not original to him. Lincoln knew his sources. He is quoting Jesus.