Meditation is an ideal way to pray. Using God's word (Lectio Divina) allows me to hear, listen and reflect on what the Lord wants to say to me - to one of his disciples - just like He did two thousand years ago.
The best time to reflect is at the beginning of the day and for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Prior to going to sleep, read the Mass readings for the next day and then, in the morning, reflect on the Meditation offered on this website.
I hope these daily meditations allow you to know, love and imitate the Lord in a more meaningful way.
God bless you!


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Mk 3:7-12 Large Crowds

Mk 3:7-12 Large Crowds

(Click here for readings)

The unclean spirit shouted, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus warned him sternly not to make him known.

The devil knows perfectly well who Jesus is. The devil knows and makes him known to others. Why? So the crowd will worship Him? No. St. James states, “You believe in God, you do well, but even the devil believes.” The problem with the devil is that he does not obey. Whoever does not obey the Will of God is in collusion with the devil. The devil disobeys because he refuses to love. I feel so sorry for those “satanic” worshippers who consider themselves friends of the devil. They do not understand or realize that the devil has no friends. All who work for satan end up being destroyed at the hands of satan. He has no allegiance, no camaraderie - no spirit of unity. It is, to say the least, a dysfunctional relationship. It’s an all for one relationship.

So why does the devil make known the Lord’s true identity? Because he wishes to speed up the process. He wants his hour to begin. Let the controversy begin! Is God not one? Is God not above? How can this man heal on the Sabbath? How can this man forgive sins? Only God can do so. Who does he make himself out to be? The devil wants the pain and suffering, the trial, the death of Christ to begin. He wants us to put God to death! But the moment has not arrived. The hour is fast approaching, but it is not here. The unclean spirit wishes to promote controversy, scandal and division. All the things that we thrive on! Yes. We love a good scandal. We love to read People magazine because we love to know who the stars really are; what they struggle with; what they are stricken with; what demons they possess! How often do we stroke the flames of discord, scandal and division by fomenting speculation that on the surface appear innocent and truthful, but underneath it all are unclean.

Here is the underlying problem: the spirit spewing the truth is the prince of lies. The words are correct but the purity is not there. The truth is spoken but love is absent. For this reason, the Lord wishes to have nothing to do with it. It is not enough to say, Lord, Lord! It is important to fall to our knees, to acknowledge or sin and to ask for mercy and forgiveness. The Lord does not seek the large crowds. In fact, they are at the point of crushing him! No, large crowds are meaningless. It is the person the Lord seeks. It is personal, intimate, conversion the Lord desires. One repentant soul is worth more to the Lord than a million fans!

We have all sinned! We are all in it together! When we make one worse than the other, we sin because we lie. When we glamorize sin, and try to cover over it up, we can rest assured that the truth shall disclose the fruit of sin. We are all ugly in the inside. The Cover Girl is just that - a cover, a cover for the truth that remains within.

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” This is what the Lord desires. More than anything else, he wishes that my will be His. “Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.” (Ps 40:6) Let us follow the pattern of the Lord, who climbed upon the highest cross even as the crowd grew smaller and smaller.

2 comments:

  1. Good Meditation Father!

    It really made me think. I think it might have been you who said that satan loves drama, play games and loves to create confusion. That has really helped me in realize when satan is acting in my life as well noticing it in others so I don't get dragged into the mess (at least try very hard not to).

    Knowing and doing God's will is what everyone should strive to do. I know I am working on discerning God's will for me. I am working on trying to stay in a state of grace, daily Mass, frequent trips to Adoration to be able to hear and discern His will for me and my family. I am slowly understanding it. He is patient, kind and loving all things of 1 Corinthians 13 4-8a. The devil is not. Yesterday, I lost my patience with one of my kiddos. Instantly I felt horrible, I dropped to my knee's and prayed and asked for forgiveness...I felt so much better. I am to be the love, the heart of the home.

    "Here is the underlying problem: the spirit spewing the truth is the prince of lies. The words are correct but the purity is not there. For this reason, the Lord wishes to have nothing to do with it."

    I had a hard time with the above thought. If we are all unclean underneath, and the Lord wants nothing to do with us, well, that does not offer much hope for redemption or why even try. There are times through out the day where even a pure heart might have an impure thought or lose their temper, which means they let satan get the best of them at that time. Does that mean the Lord wants nothing to do with us? Or are you saying that at those moments we should recognize we have sinned and drop to our knee's, pray and ask for forgiveness at that very moment? I was confused about that thought. Luke 15 8:10 comes to my mind.
    Thanks so much for answering the call and saying "yes" to God.
    God Bless You Father Alfonse!
    Rose :)
    ps- we are remodeling the kitchen. It is starting to look beautiful. :)

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  2. Fr. Alfonse,
    This is a really good meditation. How quickly we forget how often we sin whether it is through our thoughts or actions. I desperately want my girls and students to understand how sinful their actions are and how this behavior affects everyone around them. Satan truly loves drama and I worry sometimes how my students LOVE drama too. It seems our youth is overwhelmed with drama. It's almost as if they thrive on it.
    I remind my girls frequently that Satan is always trying to steal a part of them and to not give in to temptations (there are so many these days, especially with technology). I appreciate your meditations. Thank you for all you do here at St. Joseph. God bless you Father.
    Naomi

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