Lk 11:14-23
14[Jesus] was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. 15Some of them 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.”
By the power of Beelzebul he drives out demons. How can Jesus bear to be with people who are always after him, waiting for his mistakes, watching his every move, questioning his every motive, and challenging his every teaching? He must be a patient and loving man. How can he stand it all without letting it get into his nerves? How can he be so kind and understanding?
Lord God, teach me to be patient. Teach me to wait since not all people will readily understand me. Teach me to be accommodating to those who cannot immediately accept me. Teach me to be kind to those who do not see things the way I do. Teach me the simple lesson that people will always have differing views, temperaments, and levels of understanding. They may not understand me, but that does not mean I should not understand them. They may not accept me, but that does not mean I should not respect them.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Beelzebul. Beelzebul may be homonymous with the Syriac “dung” and therefore means “Lord of the dung” or “Defecator,” an opprobrious designation of the Evil One. It may also mean “lord of one of the seven heavens” and denote the Evil One (who also takes the names Satan, Belial, and Samael). Jesus calls Beelzebul “chief of the devils.” In later literature, this is the common name for the Evil One, and he appears as a black-faced, clownish figure, with horns and wings.