3rd Week in Ordinary Time (Year A) : Monday 22nd January 2024

In the Gospel passage, the scribes are so closed minded that they ascribe the exorcism that Jesus performed earlier to the work of Beelzebul, the prince of devils. This is what Jesus means when He says that anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness. In other words, this person is not open to the movement of the Holy Spirit doing good work in and around him/her to the point that no matter how the Spirit tries to nudge him/her towards the good, he/she will not accept this soft nudge or even strong push from the Spirit. It is very sad when one does not open oneself to God. Thus, forgiveness is difficult because one is not open to being forgiven.

In the First Reading, David lets himself be moved by God. He is open to God. Thus, even though he sins off and on, and again and again, he becomes a pliant servant of God. For that he is praised: “David grew greater and greater, and the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him.”

Am I open to the Holy Spirit in my life? Am I pliant like David, in order to be formed as God wishes?

Lord, let my heart, mind and life be docile to Your guidance today.