Thoughts for the Day

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

(Lectionary New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In our world good motives are often criticised. What the media lauds one day they are liable to pull down and disparage the next day. In our reading today we see that Jesus has healed someone who couldn't speak, but instead of being happy for the man (or woman) and thanking God for the miracle, his opponents attack Jesus as being involved with the devil. Jesus demolishes their argument, after all why would the devil attack his own minions? In a civil war no-one ends up the winner!

Now we may not be as overtly antagonistic to other people and their actions as this, but we often make quick judgements about those we meet with no basis in reason whatsoever. When I first met my husband I couldn't stand him - not at all the kind of person I liked, I thought. Luckily the dislike turned to love pretty quickly. He may not have looked like my ideal man, but he was such a kind and lovely person, and that shone through.

Today, can we be honest with ourselves and ask, how often do we think poorly of the actions of those we dislike, or make negative comments about them? Let's all take stock and rethink our relationships, asking God for help.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we learn to look beyond the obvious
and not make knee-jerk reactions
when we first meet someone.
May we also not think negatively
of actions taken by those we find
it difficult to like.
Forgive our failings and teach us
to truly love others.
Amen.