Faith Daily | 8 October 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p588

Generous God,

whose hand is open

to fill all things living with plenteousness:

make us ever thankful for your goodness,

and grant that we, remembering the account

that we must one day give,

may be faithful stewards of your bounty;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 11: 15-26

15But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. 18If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. 26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Cheryl Courtice

How disappointing it is, that when honest opposition is helpless, it is by no means uncommon for people to resort to slander. There is nothing so cruel as slander, for it is apt to stick because the human mind tends to think the worst and very often the human ear can prefer to hear the derogatory rather than the complimentary tale.

How often do I think the worst of other people? How often do I tend to impute low motives to someone I am not fond of? Do I repeat juicy gossip, unsure of the true facts? Certainly a call for self examination!

It reminds of something I read recently that invited me to THINK before I spoke. Is what I am about to say True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?

This certainly adds intention and reflection to communication.

There is no place for neutrality in the Christian life. If I stand aloof from the good cause I automatically help the evil one. I’m either on the way or in the way.

Cleansing is necessary; but after the rooting out of evil, there must come the filling with good. The best way to avoid evil is to do good. Many of the Toowoomba gardens at the moment are so full of flowers that there is scarcely room for a weed to grow. Can I be like those gardens? I will never become good by not doing things, but by filling life with lovely things.

So help me, God.

Amen.

FINAL PRAYER “The blessing of unanswered prayers” Unknown Confederate soldier

I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I had asked for, but everything that I had hoped for. Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered; I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Amen.