Points to Ponder

Some sport followers are expert at reading a game. They can spot where a successful move begins, where an opposition's weakness is exploited, where a subtle touch of skill turns a game. Others, like myself, tend to focus on the spectacular score, on flamboyant skill even if it is unproductive, on the glaring mistakes and the glorious success.
The crowds that followed Jesus seemed to have divided into two similar groups. In today's gospel, there were those who focused on the extraordinary cure of the possessed man. But the wiser, more reflective people honed in on the teaching of Jesus. For them, the emphasis was on Jesus as teacher rather than as miracle worker. He was both, of course, but it was his teaching that made the more lasting impression. Why? Because he was teaching with the authority of one who knows the truth, the truth about God, about people and about the world.
The people of that time were confused about the political, economic and religious situations of their time. They were oppressed, broken and spiritually barren. The similarities between now and then are obvious. Some of the contemporaries of Jesus heeded his teaching and allowed it to change their lifestyles. So Christianity took root. Today's gospel is a call to our generation to do the same so that Christianity in out home, parish, and country may be revitalized.
Do not curse the darkness of evil, Light your candle of goodness.