Today’s Gospel
Luke 11:14- 23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, He drives out demons."
Others, to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven.
But He knew their thoughts and said to them,"Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the
finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger
than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the
spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Luke 11:14- 23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, He drives out demons."
Others, to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven.
But He knew their thoughts and said to them,"Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the
finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger
than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the
spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Reflection
Demons are a big part of the Gospel narrative. Many of us Catholics seem to be hesitant in admitting the presence of Satan or demons and become a bit uncomfortable when we hear someone preaching on the existence of the devil. However, we cannot deny, even if we cannot fully understand, that there is a spiritual reality all around us. We like to believe in angels but shy away of our belief in demons, which in fact, are angels as well. We see throughout our history, beginning with Jesus in the desert, this spiritual battle we have with Satan. Wherever we may find ourselves on the spectrum of belief, we must rededicate ourselves to the cause of Christ. We must not be divided because as Jesus says, “every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste.” This is true for Satan as it is for God.
Lent is a time for us to once again recognize the presence of the spiritual reality that is all around us and recommit ourselves to the building of the Kingdom of God. We know that in every war, both sides bring their weapons. We cannot become complacent in our spiritual lives and think that there is no need to fight. Put on the armor of God, pick up the weapons of prayer and good works and accept the grace that will give you the strength to fight the daily temptations that you face. We have nothing to fear but let us not become comfortable.
Take the time today to pray at least one decade of the sorrowful mysteries, asking for the strength to battle the demons in your life and recommit yourself to being a true disciple of Christ, willing to do what it takes to build the kingdom of God here on earth.
Demons are a big part of the Gospel narrative. Many of us Catholics seem to be hesitant in admitting the presence of Satan or demons and become a bit uncomfortable when we hear someone preaching on the existence of the devil. However, we cannot deny, even if we cannot fully understand, that there is a spiritual reality all around us. We like to believe in angels but shy away of our belief in demons, which in fact, are angels as well. We see throughout our history, beginning with Jesus in the desert, this spiritual battle we have with Satan. Wherever we may find ourselves on the spectrum of belief, we must rededicate ourselves to the cause of Christ. We must not be divided because as Jesus says, “every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste.” This is true for Satan as it is for God.
Lent is a time for us to once again recognize the presence of the spiritual reality that is all around us and recommit ourselves to the building of the Kingdom of God. We know that in every war, both sides bring their weapons. We cannot become complacent in our spiritual lives and think that there is no need to fight. Put on the armor of God, pick up the weapons of prayer and good works and accept the grace that will give you the strength to fight the daily temptations that you face. We have nothing to fear but let us not become comfortable.
Take the time today to pray at least one decade of the sorrowful mysteries, asking for the strength to battle the demons in your life and recommit yourself to being a true disciple of Christ, willing to do what it takes to build the kingdom of God here on earth.
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