Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 11: 15-26
October  13, 2023 | Friday

Today’s Gospel

Yet some of them said, “He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.” Others wanted to put him to the test, by asking him for a heavenly sign. But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall. If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul? If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons? They will be your judges, then.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God; would not this mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you? As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe. But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters. When the evil spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through dry lands, looking for a resting place; and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds the house swept and everything in order. Then it goes to fetch seven other spirits, even worse than itself. They move in and settle there so that the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

Today’s Reflection:

The Lord freed the possessed from the demon. No one can deny the supernatural power of Jesus, but since they could not accept its divine origin, they accused Jesus of using malignant power. Some, even those who have witnessed many of His miraculous deeds, wanted to test Jesus. They demanded more signs. He proved them wrong. He showed how foolish their accusations were and how unnecessary their demands were. He has manifested His authority over the evil spirit, and His power was incomparable to mere creatures. They scatter before Him.

Jesus’ miraculous deeds should lead us to the realization of His identity. After disproving their accusation, the Lord asked them and all of us, “Are you with me?” From this, God calls us to reflect, Are we with Jesus? Do His words and deeds bring us closer to Him   /Vulnerasti, 2023