Greetings on this the Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hebrews 9:15, 24-28; Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6; Mark 3:22-30
Accusation
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan?
Judgment
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Heart Set on Evil
It wasn’t enough to see Jesus heal Simon’s Mother-In-Law, cleanse a leper, heal the paralytic, cure a withered hands, and all manner of diseases for many people. They hated Jesus for that.
In the gospel of Mark the FIRST miracle is the cure of the demonic – Mark 1:21f. Among the other healings early in his ministry he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him (Mk 1:34).
Both times telling the demons not to testify to who he was.
They hated Jesus for that, too. For worst of all reasons. Not because they can’t see with their own eyes the good he is doing but because Jesus interferes with their evil plans.
Ah! Those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness to light, and light into darkness, who change bitter to sweet, and sweet into bitter! (Isa 5:20).
And Again
For the fool speaks folly, his heart plans evil: Godless actions, perverse speech against the LORD, Letting the hungry go empty and the thirsty without drink. The deceits of the deceiver are evil, he plans devious schemes: To ruin the poor with lies, and the needy when they plead their case. (Isa 32:6-7).
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Is a persistent rejection of truth and in particular the rejection of truth with the intention of advancing evil schemes. Is is no wonder that the witness evidence from Isaiah says it all cited above Isa 32:6-7.
Putting (fill in the blank) First
What you put FIRST will be what is remembered in the LAST.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012725.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry