Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Sept. 2

Music

Who has known/ Foley (sample sheet music) (Advent song, but v.1 is from 1st reading)

Apparel

'Question mark' tie pin: Who knows about someone...? Who has known the Lord's mind? (1st reading)

'Dove' necklace, red shirt: The Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. (1st reading); our authority is from the Holy Spirit (homily)

Pope Francis

Homily: Jesus taught with authority; people were astonished. His authority came from the Holy Spirit. Paul preached with the anointing of the Spirit, expressing things of the Spirit in spiritual terms. If we don't understand the things of the Spirit and give witness, we have no identity. Christ's thought is the Christian identity, not thinking and judging like the world. The Holy Spirit gives authority and identity. People didn't love teachers of the law because they didn't speak to hearts or give freedom. Not anointed by the Spirit, they couldn't help people find their identity. Jesus', and our, authority comes from the ability to understand things of the Spirit and speak the Spirit's language. Lord, grant us Christian identity, Your Spirit, Your way of thinking, feeling, and speaking.

Jesus expels the demon with authority...

Readings

1 Cor 2:10b-16 We've received the Spirit from God, so we may understand what God gave us and speak with words taught by the Spirit. Natural people can't understand, but spiritual people can judge everything. “Who has known the mind of the Lord?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Ps 145:8-14 "The Lord is just in all his ways," gracious, merciful, kind, good, compassionate, faithful, and holy. Let your works and faithful ones bless and speak of your power and glory. Your Kingdom is everlasting. You lift the falling and raise up all who are bowed down.

Lk 4:31-37 Jesus taught with authority; people were astonished. Man with the spirit of a demon / Jesus: “Jesus, have you come to destroy us? I know you're God's Holy One!” / “Quiet! Come out!” The demon came out without doing harm. Amazed, they said, “What is there about his word? He commands spirits with authority and power and they come out.” News of him spread.

Reflections

Creighton: We've become overloaded with news, but how is news of Jesus spread today, and how accurate is it? People recognized Jesus' power and authority. Do I? Do I listen, believe, and live accordingly?

One Bread One Body: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Whoever wins our mind gains control of our actions. Our minds must be transformed (see yesterday) to make "every thought... obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). "Direct your thoughts to what's true, deserving of respect, honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or praiseworthy" (Phil 4:8), and love God "with all your mind."

Passionist: Jesus who expelled the evil spirit the man was harboring can heal us from evil we harbor. Jesus frees us so we may flourish. Recall that when Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?", Simon professed his faith, and Jesus responded, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." In knowing Jesus' identity, we come to know ourselves as Jesus knows us and as he wants us to become. He recognizes our frailty and will free us from what keeps us from him, so we may proclaim, "You are the Christ" and be truly free.

DailyScripture.net: "Jesus had all power and authority because he was the living and active Word of God the Father. Bystanders were astonished; he performed miracles without asking for power to accomplish them. Since he's God's living and active Word, he crushed Satan and closed demons' mouths. [St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, Homily 12, paraphrased]. Recognize Christ's healing power and authority, follow him, and walk free in his love and truth.

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"