Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading: Mark 3:22-30
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?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
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."
Gospel Reflection:
In Mark 3:22-30, we witness a profound moment where Jesus confronts the accusations of the scribes, who claim that His ability to cast out demons comes from Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus responds with a simple yet powerful truth: "How can Satan drive out Satan?" Through His parable of the divided kingdom, Jesus reveals the folly of their accusations and the more profound spiritual truth that only the power of God can defeat evil. His words highlight the importance of unity, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the danger of closing ourselves off to the transformative grace of God by attributing His works to evil.
This passage challenges us to reflect on how we discern and respond to the works of God in our lives and the world around us. Are we open to the Spirit’s action, or do we sometimes allow doubt, fear, or cynicism to cloud our faith? Jesus reminds us that rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit — the source of unity, healing, and truth — not only blinds us to God’s presence but can lead us down a path of spiritual stagnation.
GO FORTH CALL-TO-ACTION:
As we reflect on this Gospel passage, let us commit ourselves to building unity in our families, communities, and workplaces. Pay attention to where God works in your life and celebrate His presence, even in the ordinary moments. Be mindful of how you speak about others, ensuring your words bring healing, not division. Most importantly, stay open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide you into deeper faith and action.
Today, go forth with a heart ready to embrace God’s grace and share His love. Work to bring light into darkness, unity where there is division, and hope where there is despair. We become instruments of God’s kingdom here on earth through our openness to the Spirit.
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