Properly Furnishing the Inner House
- davidwperk
- Oct 30, 2023
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, October 30, 2023
Proper 25, the week of the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
43‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 990)
AM Psalm 41, 52; PM Psalm 44
Zech. 1:7-17; Rev. 1:4-20; Matt. 12:43-50
Today we celebrate the Feast of John Wycliff. (See below.)
David's Reflections
The short parable at the beginning of this reading occurs in the context of Jesus' having been accused of performing healings and exorcisms in the power of Satan; it sounds strange on the lips of Jesus. What is the ultimate solution to the power of personal and corporate evil? How does one find freedom from those inner and outer dark forces that so easily rise up and capture our affections, progressively robbing us of the power to choose against them?
Jesus here warns against focusing on the symptoms of our caughtness. One can clean a house and empty it of junky furniture but that house still must be furnished. To eliminate certain behaviors and replace them with religious observance does not furnish the house. The soul still remains empty and vulnerable to a fresh outbreak of that evil that has only been superficially dismissed.
Addition recovery uses the term "dry drunk" to describe someone who merely stops drinking without becoming part of a community and looking beneath the addiction to its driving causes. Could we say that Christianity has its "dry drunk Christians," those who have simply changed certain behaviors without having addressed the underlying spiritual emptiness that evil will inevitably rush in to fill? Take for example the person who successfully has pruned their morals of the external symptoms of evil and whose religious pride becomes their new symptom of the same underlying egocentric orientation.
This passage cautions us that only the direct experience of the love and presence of God in our lives can "furnish the house." At the center of our being exists an emptiness, a space inbuilt by our Creator God. That space will keep crying out for God; in the absence of God that space will become a spiritual black hole, a vacuum pulling relationships, addictions, hobbies, possessions, career dreams in and expanding their importance. Yet, the black hole will remain and our freedom will keep diminishing.
Gerald G. May put it so well: "We have had God's breath in us since the beginning, and God knows that the fulfillment we long for will come from nothing other than God's very self. Nothing less than God will satisfy the yearning that God has planted within us." *
*Gerald G. May, Addiction and Grace (New York: Harper, 1988), p. 112.
Collect of the Day, Proper 25 The Sunday closest to October 26
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 235)
Today we celebrate the feast of John Wycliffe, translator (died 31 Dec 1384 CE)
Collect of the Feast of John Wycliffe
O God, your justice continually challenges your Church to live according to its calling: Grant us who now remember the work of John Wycliffe contrition for the wounds which our sins inflict on your Church, and such love for Christ that we may seek to heal the divisions which afflict his Body; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
For the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 258)
In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 12:43-50
43‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.’
46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’Other ancient authorities lack verse 47a 48But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ 49And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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