*|MC:SUBJECT|*

View this email in your browser

A daily Lenten e-mail with lessons of hope and courage, inspired by a variety of resources to encourage us in these confusing and turbulent times from St. Luke’s Church, Lebanon.

Thursday - Third Week in Lent

What hinders you from speaking the Word of God openly, honestly and clearly? There are so many people who need good news; people who are confused and find themselves walking down a road leading to even greater confusion and destruction. Why do we remain silent when we see this happening?

In the gospel, we hear of a man who was mute. The gospel writer tells us that he was mute because of a demon. In the story, Jesus drives the demon out of the man. The man speaks and many are amazed.

Perhaps this man was mute because he was oppressed - oppressed to such an extent that he lost his ability to speak. Once he was released from this oppression, he began to speak freely.

Though we may not experience demonic influence, we can often be hindered by oppressive spirits. The evil one tries to influence us in such a way that we become fearful of proclaiming the Gospel freely, sincerely and immediately to those who are in most need of the message God wants them to hear. “Mute spirits” can hinder us, confuse us, or fill us with fear when the opportunity arises to share our faith with another. Though it may be rare to fall completely into their power as did the man in the gospel story, we are often influenced and hindered by them nonetheless.

Reflect, today, upon the reality of these spirits and their attempts to keep us from speaking the message that so many people need to hear. The gospel teaches us that Jesus has complete power over all spirits and will not hesitate to overcome their influence over us if we but let him. Jesus wants to free us to speak his message of love without reserve so that others will come to know and be amazed by his perfect love. Today, open yourself to being used by Jesus as an instrument of his truth and love.