First Reading
Joel 1:13–15; 2:1–2
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 9)
Response: The Lord will rule the world with justice.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray,
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Alleluia.
Gospel: (Luke 11:15–26)
Reflection
This Friday morning's readings, the Word of God calls us to spiritual vigilance and repentance.
The prophet Joel warns of the Day of the Lord -a day of darkness and judgment, urging the people to awaken from complacency and return to God with contrite hearts. It is a divine alarm, not meant to terrify but to transform.
In the Gospel, Jesus confronts those who accuse Him of working by demonic power. He reveals a profound truth: evil cannot stand against itself. A divided house collapses. But where the finger of God moves, the Kingdom of Heaven has already arrived.
This passage reminds us that spiritual warfare is real. Evil seeks to return to any heart that has been cleansed but left empty, a soul swept clean yet unfilled by grace. When we drive sin out of our lives but fail to fill the void with prayer, virtue, and love of God, darkness easily returns, stronger than before.
The strong man in today’s parable represents satan guarding his domain. Yet Christ is the stronger one, the conqueror, who disarms the enemy and claims victory over sin and death. To belong to Christ is to stand firm with Him. To waver in faith, to remain indifferent, is to risk being scattered.
Let us, then, stay rooted in the Lord.
Let us fill our hearts daily with His Word, His Spirit, and His presence in the Eucharist.
As we await the Day of the Lord, may we live not in fear but in faith, ready, steadfast, and filled with grace, so that when that day comes, it will not be a day of terror, but a day of triumph.
Amen. Stay awake. Stay faithful to the Lord.
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