When the tradition of the Pharisees becomes more important that doing the work of The Lord, Jesus takes issue with their behavior and quotes scripture from the Old Testament to prove His point.
How often has someone pointed out the “right path” for us, and yet we ignore it because we use some other “tradition” or excuse to do what our will, and not God’s will?
The removal of an unclean spirit in the synagogue must have been a sight to behold. Jesus was not just teaching, but teaching with authority. They were both amazed and fearful of their fate as they knew they were in the presence of someone sent from God the Father of the Old Testament.
Quieting down the spirits that provide temptation in our lives, that move us away from God and towards another is something to reflect on for the day. We can see the healing touch of Jesus on the man in the picture. Let us be the man healed today.
Gospel Lk 1:5-25
The wondrous gift of creation from a marriage is often hidden unless it is withheld for some reason. This passage links Zechariah and Elizabeth between Old Testament baron couples especially Sarah and Abraham, in readiness for the good news of Jesus’s salvation.
The appearance and revelation from Gabriel is obvious to all around him as he exits the temple. How many times in our own lives has something happened that is just an amazing gift that we can savor for a moment?
I was talking to a car salesman this morning, whose daughter has been seriously ill with a heart defect at birth, who just emerged successfully from surgery. I could see in his eyes he had a gift, and thought he might lose her too quickly, now she is returned and he is doubly grateful. Imagine how Zechariah and Elizabeth must have felt at the end of their lives getting this wondrous gift of a child.
Let us bask in the gift of our children today, for however long we may enjoy that time, particularly after the awful events in Newtown, CT last week. We will all be called back to Him someday; none are more ready than those innocent children.
Daily prayers and meditations 