RUTTER: Wholly With You

We recently celebrated the Feast of the Guardian Angels, and just seven days later Jesus, is talking to the crowds about demons.

What gives?

Sharing the parable of a strong king whose possessions are safe until someone stronger attacks and steals everything, Jesus warns the crowds that “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:23)

What does that parable mean to us in this time and place?

We aren’t kings and queens living in palaces, worried about being besieged by enemies who will strip us of all our goods.

Well, in a sense, maybe we are.

Each of us has this part of our mind that can be besieged by negative thoughts that imprison us and make us afraid to move forward.

Stuck in the dark, we can’t seem to move toward the light.

Fear is often what Satan, the demon, uses to hold us back, keeping us from fully opening our hearts, minds and souls to God.

What do we do when common fears grip us? We openly reject Satan’s attempt to confuse us and turn to God in prayer and the Bible for examples of combatting our fear. Amen?

After all, Jesus promised us that he is the light of the world. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

For example, for fear of being ...

• controlled by others: “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1)
• unworthy to be loved, insignificant: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
• stupid or not smart enough: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
• an outsider: “... Not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:4).

The well-known fact is that we live in a fallen world where bad things will happen. The control we have is purely in our response.

St. Paul comforts us, telling us to “have no anxiety about anything ... the peace of God will keep your hearts.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Jesus himself tells us that “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Your fears? Release them to the wind. Look up to the heavens with your arms raised and praise God. For He has His angel watching over you.

And so I pray: Dear Lord, You are my stronghold, all that I hold dear is in Your care. Give me the courage and strength to face each day with a light heart. Help me look outward to love and serve others. Let me be wholly with you.