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Olivia M. Bannan

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT MARCH 24, 2022




A reading from the holy Gospel according to Lk 11:14-23


Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 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. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”


REFLECTION

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”



Several years ago I attended a conference in New Orleans. Being that lunch was two hours, I went to Mass at St Louis Cathedral. It was the oldest Cathedral in North America, being founded in 1720. It was along the Banks of the Mississippi River. The cathedral was dedicated to Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France. There were street vendors along the piazza, French restaurants and the very famous beignets.


Still with time to shop, I entered a store close to the cathedral. Upon stepping in I was immediately apprehensive, then as I continued walking in, my heart started racing and then it was hard to breath. I noticed some satanic statues, skulls, and incense burning. I immediately walked out and all my symptoms went away as soon as I stepped outside.


In our PAPA Handbook, our enemy is defined as ones who seek to do harm and destroy us on purpose. They are three: (1) the Devil; (2) the world; (3) the flesh. They will trick, trip, trap, take and torture souls. They curse, lie, cheat, libel, detract, gossip, steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10), * (1) In today"s Gospel, some in the crowd were cynical, to the point of just merely being amazed as the devil left the mute, and asking for a sign from heaven to test Him. Others believed that He worked by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.


The devil is real. strong and is armed for the fight. At times he appears immediately in our lives and other times we court him and allow him a place in our hearts. Jesus is showing us the true values of His Kingdom: love, truth, compassion and mercy. If we allow Him, turn to Him, repent and ask for forgiveness, He will quietly convert our hearts . "Listen to my voice", says the Lord, then I will be your God and you shall be my people." (Jeremiah 7: 23).


The devil wants to destroy the priests, who bring Our Lord to us during Mass. Please pray daily the PAPA Priest Prayer. The battle is on.!!


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

May we be receptive to God's will, when He calls us.


God Bless You


(1) PAPA Handbook, Michael J Nguyen, C.Ss.R, Pages 10-11




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