“Submitting ourselves to the Power and Authority of the Lord, Who ignites our lives!”

(Based on 1 Thess 4:13-18 and Lk 4:16-30 – Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Have you ever seen a giant sequoia tree?

Some of them are more than 3,000 years old…
… majestic and towering!

But here’s the hidden secret: these mighty trees commence their growth, because of fire!

Yes, fire!

Unless the flames of a forest-fire, sweep through…
… their seed-cones never open!

The heat cracks them apart, the ashes prepare the soil…
… and only then does new life spring forth!

Strange, isn’t it?

What looks like destruction, actually becomes the doorway to life.
What appears to be tragedy is, in fact, the trigger for transformation.

It’s so similar to what we witness in today’s Gospel: The Programmatic Speech of Jesus (Lk 4:16–30)

Jesus, filled with the Spirit, proclaims liberty to the captives – with passion and fire!
His words burn, His presence shakes, His authority unsettles…
… but only so that the chains of sin break open
… and a new life in God can begin!

The public ministry of our Blessed Lord begins with the reading and declaration of the prophetic words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…
… to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Cf. Lk 4:18)

The Jewish world had been eagerly waiting and longing for the coming of the Messiah.

But Divine Irony had it that when the Messiah did arrive…
… it was not with a mighty bang, but with a sweet gentleness and calm!

He came from a place, that was perhaps, least expected – Nazareth
He announced His coming to the public not with any grand show or spectacle – but by just declaring the Word of God with authority

But this humble beginning, that Divine Wisdom planned it so beautifully, would slowly unleash its mighty power!

The mighty words and proclamation by Jesus caused an immediate stir and buzz among the people who listened to Him.

The Gospel would testify to this fact, in the words: “And all spoke highly of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His mouth” (Lk 4:22)

However, as our Blessed Lord slowly unleashed His Authority, there also arose the spirit of division and opposition.

The “all-hailing” and “all -praising” crowd, on realizing the demands placed by the Word of God…
… got converted to “being enraged” and “being infuriated!”

So much was the antagonism that had brewed up that “all in the synagogue were filled with wrath, and they rose to put Him out of the city…” (Lk 4: 28-29)

When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs, it overflows into one’s words and actions
When one is highly passionate about one’s faith, it overwhelms one’s deeds and life.
… and this would naturally lead to oppositions and persecutions.

Our life is a constant battle with the powers of the evil.

Time and again, we have people and situations who discourage us

Many times we go through moments when spiritual life doesn’t seem to be encouraging

We often get tied down by the powers of temptation
… We often get disappointed by the struggles of sinful tendencies

But let’s know for sure: The power of the Lord is with us – waiting to save us!

What is therefore needed is that, we need to…
… yield ourselves to the Orders of God!
… make ourselves open and docile to the Commands of God!

Let’s examine our Christian lives and check:

Do I constantly seek live a life, in the Presence of the Lord…
… so that no powers of Satan can touch us?

Do I nourish my spiritual life with the daily food of Prayer, Word of God and re-commitment to holiness…
… so that we are never under the bondage of the evil?

Yes, the Mighty Power of the Lord is with us

Always wanting to provide for us!
Always wanting to take care of us!

Jesus does not just soothe our wounds

He ignites our souls…
… so that we burn with freedom, passion, and holiness.

As we commence the new month of September…
… let’s submit ourselves to His Power and Authority!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Scandal prompted our Lord to utter this curse: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin…

… it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (CCC # 2285)