Lk 11:15-26
[or Acts 1:12-14 • Lk 1 • Lk 1:26-38]
[After Jesus had driven out a demon that was mute,] 15some of [the crowd] said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
19If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
24“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 25But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.26Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”
Reflection:
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul. What motivates you? What pushes you to do the things you do? Jesus is accused of driving demons by the power of the prince of demons. Jesus’ detractors fail to see the finger of God in his compassion for the sick. Jesus is moved by the love of his Father and his love for us. This is his food.
Love of family pushes many to endure hardships so as to provide for their loved ones. Personal needs embolden some to resort to desperate measures. Some people are driven by revenge, others by charity, still others by fame. So what pushes you? Who fills your heart?
An army commander commended Alexander the Great for courage. Alexander pointed to his wife to whom he bowed. The wife insisted that their son was more powerful because she acceded to his smallest requests. But the son answered that his dog was the greatest because his pet had his attention and devotion.
Name the most influential people in your life and thank them.