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Monday 3rd
Week OT
St. Luke’s Institute
January 26, 2015
LIBERATORS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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A
liberator is one who frees a person or place from imprisonment or oppression
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And
we don’t call Jesus “the liberator” for nothing
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His
liberating presence to the demoniacs is (1) Not only a freeing up of
individuals, but (2) Is a sign that God is as work in the world
JESUS AS LIBERATOR ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Jesus’
exorcisms clearly provoke wonder about the source of his power
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His
relatives think he is out of his mind
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Adversaries
accuse him being in league w/ devil
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For
Jesus, however, his power is God’s Spirit
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His
exorcisms are like “tying up the strong
man” so as 2 render the evil spirit powerless & clear the way 4 something
new – God’s reign of mercy
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Liberation
leaves the mark of mercy’s victory over suffering of any sort
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The
gravest sin then is to remain indifferent to suffering and so to perpetuate it…
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And
the reality is to see God at work in the liberation from suffering
WE AS LIBERATORS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Liberation
was Js’ mission & now it’s ours to do in his spirit
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To
continue this mission of liberation, what would you change to show that mercy
rules?
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Rather
than focusing on changing externals – bureaucracy, authority figures, difficult
people – over which we really have no control…
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How
about changing what we can – our minds?
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Letting
go of bitterness, anger, suspicion, stereotypes, & judgment frees both us &
other 2B better
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Living
under G’s reign of mercy requires profound change in R way of thinking, seeing,
& acting
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2
participate in mission of liberating mercy we must 1ST release all
that holds our hearts in bondage
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Only
then will we cooperate with the power of the Spirit to set still another person
free
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Liberators
of mercy – a worthy appellation for us here staff and residents here at SLI!
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