Daily Devotional

In all three synoptic Gospels, when Jesus was asked about the first commandment, He immediately added: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31, Cf. Matthew 22:36). In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus summed both commandments in one sentence: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Those who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub did so because they felt Jesus had no power. Some Christians are quick to ascribe misfortunes to the devil but find it difficult to praise God when good things happen. Jesus described the devil as a strong man but made it clear that He is stronger: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.” (Luke 11:21-22). If you are more scared of the devil than God, your heart is hardened.

In today’s first reading, Moses said: “Give heed to the statutes and the ordinances… that you may live and take possession of the land.” God means well to us by giving us the commandments. There is a reward for every act of obedience. Unfortunately, today’s Christians are more concerned about their discomfort than their disobedience