This is a daily game to guide you along your Spiritual Progression Path ™ . Daily Affirmation, Mentation Question, Quote, Scripture and Prayer Read slooowwwly and let the words sink in. It's up to you to find out how they apply to "your" Life.
Do you ever feel like you just need a little proof, a sign, an indicator, a confirmation or a little somethin' somethin' that tells you everything will be okay or that you are on the right track? Maybe it feels Good, but is it right? Maybe you received a sign, but another one would be nice, you know, just to make sure. We've all been there or we are there in one way or another right now. Try on this little prayer ... maybe that miracle you are looking for has already come upon you.
When did I not recognize something Good when it was right in front of me? "Yeah but . . ."
"Our distrust is very expensive."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
My Faith shows I have all the proof I need.
For a more enriching experience, go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading is very powerful when I think about how Jesus responded to those who were bent on denying Him. This helps me realize that there will always be some individuals who will not believe something Good even if it is standing right in front them. They will always want more proof or have more question marks and doubt, just like the crowd who wanted a miracle to prove a miracle. They will always respond with a, "Yeah but . . . "
First the crowd accuses Jesus of driving out demons by the power of Satan. So Jesus first raises the argument of a house divided. He basically says to the crowd, (paraphrasing here), "If Satan caused this man to become mute, why would he send one of his own secret agents to undo his own dirty work?" Therein lies Satan's house divided on itself, which cannot survive and that argument collapses. His second argument is if He drives out demons 'just as' their people do, who are their own relatives and/or followers of Him, then what are they saying about their own people? Now that argument collapses and the people have to question anyone who does this type of work including their own people. Then Jesus basically says (paraphrasing again), "Let's say for a minute that it is by God that I do this work, then God's Kingdom has come upon you and by golly you are lookin' at It." Oh that is bold, I Love it and it just blows me away. No doubt about it, Jesus was an audiovisual Man!
I suppose the keywords in this entire reading for me is when Jesus said, "has come". In other words Father, Your Kingdom had come upon these individuals in the flesh and they missed 'It' with a Capital 'I'. BAM! They missed 'It' while 'It' (the Kingdom) was standing right in front of them! Father, in every instance of my Life, I want to be very aware of when and while You are with me, around me, near me, next to me, behind me, in front of me, wherever You are is where I want to be in my mind, body and spirit. Whatever You have, I want it!
Through Jesus Christ's Most Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face, I thank You for this awareness. Amen~
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 11:14-23
14 He was driving out a demon (that was) mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed.
15 Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons."
16 Others, to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven.
17 But He knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.
18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20 But if it is by the finger of God that (I) drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.
22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.
23 Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters."
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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