Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Twenty-Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”

We are often told in today's society that everyone is entitled to their opinion or truth is a matter of perspective, but this is not what Jesus taught us through his words and deeds. He proclaimed the truth with authority and so should we. We shouldn't be afraid of being persecuted, mocked, and misunderstood by those who don't believe in Divine Truth. They might ask us, "What is truth?" and challenge us to prove without a doubt that God exists, that He loves, and that He died for us so that we might join Him in eternal life. However, we should not be intimidated by those who cast doubts upon us or belittle us for our beliefs. As long as we believe in Jesus Christ, and him crucified, then our words and works will speak louder than all our critics. This is what Jesus did and it is what we are called to do. It is not any easy way, but it is the only Way that will lead us to the Truth and Life everlasting.

Do we believe in Jesus' authority? If so, then how has that changed the way we know, love, and serve others? Can we honestly claim that our lives are founded upon the authority of Christ?

O Lord, give our every thought, word, and work the authority that comes with your love, mercy, and grace.

Amen.

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