7/11/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:32-38
32 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
33 and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.
36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
7/11/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel Reflection: Matthew 9:32-38
The gospel reading above tells us that demons do live in people. It is part of the mission of Jesus to free us from demonic possession. Now it is up to us to surrender to His power and mercy so that we will be possessed by His love and not of the prince of darkness. It is up to us to cooperate with Him so that He can use us to do exorcism or at least to pray for the deliverance of those who are under the possession of darkness.
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We see two kinds of reactions of people when they witness how Jesus cured a mute person by expelling the demon. One is that of amazement, the other is ridicule and contempt. The crowds were amazed but the Pharisees accused Jesus of being under the power of Satan. Yet even with this negative comment, Jesus did not give up in pursuing His mission. In fact, He continued doing good with vigor though He knew it will generate opposition that will ultimately result in His crucifixion and death.
If you were present during the time of this occurrence, how would you react to the miracle? The same kinds of reaction happen today. You do something good and some people accuse you falsely of seeking public attention or having hidden personal agenda. Some people are always jealous and suspicious. We should never allow them to hinder us or frustrate us from doing good as long as our only motive is to glorify God.
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The coming of Jesus is the inauguration of the Kingdom of God. With Him as our powerful king, all kinds of diseases are cured, demons are expelled, and peace and joy reigns. This is our proclamation: The kingdom of God is at hand. It has already been inaugurated. Let us make it alive in our life until its fulfillment.
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The world today as it was in the time of Jesus is in need of evangelization. There are still millions who have never heard of the Good News. The harvest is ready indeed. Who will do the work? God is calling us. Do we hear His voice. Whatever we are doing now, we can heed the call of Jesus and pray for more laborers. That is the least we can do.