Today's Gospel

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.”

Link to USCCB Daily Reading

Today's Reflection

Today's reflection comes from Bridget Rabine, Powers Catholic High School English teacher and alumna of the PCHS class of 1988.

In today’s Gospel,  Jesus drove out a demon that muted a man.  The crowd that witnessed this miracle started to make fun of Jesus saying he must be a servant of Satan.  Jesus does this service in spite of the ridicule he faced.  Performing service for those in need can sometimes be hard.  The people that need our help can make us uncomfortable and cause us to turn away.  Jesus’s actions should be a lens for each of us when it comes to helping those in need.  Despite the doubters, despite the questions, despite the teasing, Jesus always chose to help those in need.  


The Gospel is inviting each of us to reflect on the roadblocks that get in the way of our completing service.  What holds us back from helping those in need?  Jesus’s message is to have a firm resolution to follow His ways even if we are made fun of, doubted, or questioned.  Jesus challenges each of us to be open and loving to all.  Sometimes this is not easy, but Jesus shows us the way.  We must follow in Jesus’s footsteps and show love and grace to everyone who is less fortunate than we.



Let us pray...

Please click play to join us in our prayer for today, led by PCHS choir students.

Happy Lent 2023 - Thursday, March 16th