Jer 7:23-28 Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Lk 11:14-23

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.”

We usually hear this passage quoted in the context of our earthly relationships — from Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War, for example. But paired up with the first reading from Jeremiah and the Psalm today, I would interpret this warning on a spiritual level. We are supposed to be one house united with God.

Jeremiah says that the people have broken their promise to God, broken their unity with God, and so their kingdom cannot stand. It seems that a lot of times, there is a break between “mine” and “God’s,” especially when I get caught up in all the meetings I have to attend and all the work I have to do. It seems like adding more things to that, like finding time for God, would break something in my impossibly tight schedule. But the readings today remind me that if I am divided from God, then there’s no way anything can remain unbroken.

In Lent we are given the opportunity to bridge the divide between us and God. When Jesus drives out demons in today’s Gospel, he says the Kingdom of God is among us. How do we get back to that unity with God’s Kingdom? The Psalms give us one possible prayer. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” We should allow ourselves to listen for and hear God’s voice so that we may be with Him and gather with Him.