Luke 10:13-24
Dear RTB’ers,
Woe to you, Chorazin! … Bethsaida! (v. 13) … Capernaum! (v. 15) … USA! … Western Europe! Yes, us and our closest allies! I can remember growing up that Italy, Spain, France, and Ireland were all strong Catholic countries, that Germany was Lutheran, and that the United Kingdom was Anglican. Now that faith in those “pillars of democracy” seems to have evaporated. Giant cathedrals stand only partially filled for religious services, where tourists far outnumber the faithful attendees. I fear for judgment on us and our friends. We mourn the fire that took down Notre Dame. Or was that a sign of things to come? But France is building it back up. Another Tower of Babel story…? Yes, I fear the future.
Yesterday I mentioned Jesus giving the 70 …power and authority over all the demons… (Luke 9:1). In today’s reading we see a similar promise from Jesus to the 70: “Behold, I have given you authority to walk on snakes and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” (v.19) How much untapped Holy Spirit power is available to me/us today?! We on this side of the Cross and Resurrection and Pentecost – something is missing in our lives. A year ago we were watching and celebrating an “awakening” at Asbury University, an event covered by news media around the world. Have I, have we retreated back to our normal lives, whatever that is?? Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent 2024. Let’s make this Lent a Holy Spirit “awakening” in our lives! Come, Holy Spirit, come!
Blessings!