Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Advent Readings: Luke 11

Luke 11

The chapter is part of a larger portion. Two parts of the central part of the block are dedicated (d) to the Lord’s prayer and prayer in general and (d’) to teaching on an unclean spirit. Many words have been said and written about prayer life. Jesus gives an exemplary prayer and a lesson on persistence in prayer.

In a parallel passage we see Jesus’ exorcism and teaching on the unclean spirits. The main lesson for today is persistence in the life of sanctification. When unclean spirit is cast out of life of a child of God through the Word and/or Sacrament of Baptism, the life of discipleship assumes a progress. It doesn’t mean that we constantly will go uphill only. For sure, there will be setbacks, but a Christian should keep his house filled with Holy Spirit to withstand attacks of the evil ones.

I am not talking about some kinda mystical non-biblical experiences. There are four main exercises any Christian should repeat on a regular basis. The Book of Acts 2:42 describes the regular life of a believer, following a four aspects pattern: being in the Word (teaching of the apostles), in fellowship with other believers, a regular participation in the Sacrament of the Altar (breaking of the bread), and in prayers.

As Jesus was teaching on the unclean spirits, a women raised a voice with a glorification of a mother who raised Him. In stead of concentrating on His family, He points out the true blessing: “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” (Lk. 11:28). Assuming Jesus was speaking with His disciples and the crowd in Judea on Hebrew or Aramean, the root shamar – to keep means not only keeping or observance, but also a guarding. We are encouraged by Jesus Himself to defend a purity of the Word proclaimed and practiced in our churches, in our homes, and in our lives. 

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