Third Sunday in Lent: Daily Lenten Meditations

THE OTHER NINE

They had come to Him, the ten of them, begging His powerful aid, for they were lepers. Gently He had commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and on the way the hideous scales fell off and they were cleansed of their loathsome malady. In the bounding joy of their newfound strength they went exulting on their way forgetful of the kindly Master—all save one, who came hastening back to cast himself at the feet of Jesus to pour out his gratitude.

We can see the look of disappointment on the face of our Lord as the questioning words fall from His lips: “Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine?” The shameful ingratitude of it all cut to the quick the humanly sensitive heart of Jesus.

We think with bitterness, perhaps, of “the nine” for their shabby treatment of their Divine Benefactor. But what of ourselves? We would do well to pause for a moment before we condemn and see if we do not often deserve to be numbered among “the nine.” Are we really as appreciative of God’s goodness to us as we would wish others to be of our goodness to them? Are our prayers of thanksgiving as frequent as our prayers of petition?

The glorious gift of being and constant preservation—how often do I thank God for that? My body with its marvelous powers, my soul with its wonderful faculties, all the good and beautiful in nature made for my use and comfort, all the supernatural treasures—faith, grace, forgiveness of my sins, Jesus as my Saviour, Mary as my loving Mother, heaven to hope for—for all these good gifts from God, how often do I tell Him my gratitude? Am I not in many respects one of “the nine”?

Jesus, Divine Friend, have mercy on us.

EPISTLE AND GOSPEL: Taken from the Angelus Press 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

EPISTLE: Eph. 5:1-9

Let us live as children of the light, performing actions good, just, and true.

Brethren: Be ye followers of God, as most dear children: and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered Himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness. But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints: or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks. For know you this, and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean, or covetous person, which is a serving of idols, hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness: but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light: for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth.

GOSPEL:  Lk. 11:14-28

Our Lord is in open conflict with Satan. He disarms him and expels him from the body of one possessed.

At that time Jesus was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb. And when He had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke, and the multitudes were in admiration at it. But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. And others, tempting, asked of Him a sign from heaven. But He, seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he is come upon him and overcome him, he will take away all his armor wherein he trusted, and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with Me is against Me: and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest: and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.