Mk 3:22-30
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast 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, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.
“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Keeping My Spiritual House in Order
“…If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
Today’s scripture speaks to me of the challenge of living a life consistent with my beliefs.
When I returned to my faith years ago, it seemed a simple thing to keep my spiritual “house” in order. My prayer life was strong and decisions of how to spend my time and resources seemed fairly straightforward. As life has gotten busier, with more responsibilities, and frankly more stuff, it hasn’t been as easy.
A few weeks ago, a friend mentioned that she and her fiancé decided that instead of giving Christmas gifts to each other, they would send money to those in need in Ukraine. This made a big impression on me. After she left, I reflected on the feelings that had been stirred up in me. There sure had been a lot of busyness during Advent and a lot of energy put into decorating the house and buying gifts. Not to mention all the money spent on unnecessary things. Was this really the way I wanted to celebrate Christmas?
I don’t have an answer to this yet, but I do know we must pay attention to what pricks our conscience. It may be the Holy Spirit at work.
How can I make decisions this week that are consistent with, and strengthen, my relationship with God?
—Christine Curran is the executive director of the Ignatian Spirituality Project, a Jesuit ministry providing spiritual retreats and companionship to people in recovery from homelessness and addiction in 20+ cities.
Prayer
Loving God, help me to always keep my spiritual house in order, so that I can more easily recognize your invitation and your nudging in my life. Open my heart to a deeper relationship with you so that I make decisions rooted in what you are calling me to do. Amen.
—Jesuit Prayer team