Friday 9th October – Friday of week 27 of the year

Reflection: Luke 11: 15-26

WHAT OCCUPIES YOUR HEART?

Nature, they say, abhors a vacuum. This principle that describes our physical environment applies to our hearts and minds too. Our minds are always occupied with whatever we feed them with. What we absorb with our senses each day – what we read, watch, talk about etc invariably fills our minds and can make or mar us hence scripture warns: “Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life. (Prov 4:23). Bearing this in mind is of great importance as we seek to live out our Christian call. Even more important however, is the realization that if we leave our hearts unoccupied, they automatically become occupied by the world.

Christ tells us in today’s gospel reading that if an unclean spirit that goes out of a man returns and find his house swept clean and tidy, he brings seven more wicked spirits and the man ends up in a worse state. Hence, keeping the heart tidy of evil influence is not enough; the heart must be occupied by the presence of the Holy Spirit if it is to be truly devoid of any evil influence. The influence of the world exerts a greater pull on us than we often realize. If we do not make active efforts to fill our hearts with what is true, holy, noble and pure; if we leave our hearts “empty”, even without filling them with ungodly things, the enemies fills it with filth and we experience a drift towards unrighteousness.

Beloved, the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in a place filled with filth. Today, ask the Lord to cleanse your heart and mind of all ungodly influence. Make active effort each day to fill your heart with what is true, good and holy through daily meditation on God’s word, reading godly and beneficial literature and engaging in wholesome conversation. Just like an idle hand, an idle heart is the devil’s workshop.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please come into my heart. Purify me of all worldly things and help me to consciously strive after holiness. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2517 – The heart is the seat of moral personality. “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication…” The struggle against carnal covetousness entails purifying the heart and practicing temperance: Remain simple and innocent, and you will be like little children who do not know the evil that destroys man’s life.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Joel 1: 13-15, 2: 1-2; Psalm 9: 1-8; Luke 11: 15-26