Lectionary # 432 Scripture for Tuesday of 22nd week, Sept. 2, 2008

Scripture: Tuesday of 22nd week. I Cor. 2:10b-16. Psalm 145:
8-9.10-11.12-13ab.13cd-14. Luke 4:31-37. Lectionary # 432:

At the very end of today's first reading from Paul we read, "I have
the mind of Christ." It seems that after his conversion and baptism he
carefully prepared for his full entrance into the mission of Jesus. The
Spirit led him to dedicate almost fifteen years to this preparation as we
learn from his own writing in the first chapter of Galatians. Now, near
the end of his writing of epistles we have him speaking of the Spirit and
of the redeeming action of Christ. He writes also for us and we listen to
him addressing us, "We have not received the spirit of the world, but the
Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given
us by God." He keeps in mind that he did not know or want to know anything
among them than the mystery of God in Jesus Christ and him crucified. (I
Cor.2:2). He continues to speak of the wisdom of God, spiritual wisdom,
which is not understood by carnal minded persons.
Jesus has been empowered by the Spirit in all he does and says in his
active ministry. Today's excerpt shows him with power and authority over
the demonic world as he expels a demon from a man who is possessed. The
demon claims to know who Jesus is and blurts out.."I know who you are--the
Holy One of God." (Luke 4:34). Luke tells us this exorcism is possible
because Jesus has the authority within himself. It is through the power of
the Spirit of God that Jesus is able to confront those who are in the world
of evil spirits. Again we are brought back to the theology of the
evangelists and the inspired writers of both testaments--we are to think
the thoughts of God and not the thoughts that are only human. The inspired
scriptures are there for us to learn how to think the thoughts of God and
to be like Paul led by the Spirit.
Yesterday, as Jesus began his public ministry we heard him taking up
the scroll of Isaiah where it definitely speaks of being led by the Spirit,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me..."(Isaiah
61:1-2; 58:6).
To discern God's will we need the help of the Holy Spirit who speaks
to us in the inspired words of the Psalms, the Prophets, and the Gospels
and epistles. By our attentiveness to the whispers of the Spirit we are led
to think the thoughts of God, to know the mind of Christ and to be
followers of Paul who says that for him to live is Christ. Amen.