The finger of God

Third Week of Lent: Thursday

Reading: Luke 11:14-23

Now he was casting out a demon that was dumb; when the demon had gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the crowds were amazed.  But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzeulb, the ruler of the demons”; Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven.  But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert and house falls on house.  If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebulb.  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges.  But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder.  Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not with me scatters.’

Reflection

This Gospel passage reminds us of very important aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry; His mission always brought life and wholeness to the people whom He encountered each day; He reached out in compassion to the dumb man, and he regained his speech; the blind had their sight restored, the lame walked. (Matthew 11:5) All of his actions were done through the authority and power of God working through him and he gave glory to his Father for these works; ‘Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.’ (John 7:18)   We the baptised are invited to share in his divine life and to share in his healing, empowering and liberating mission in our world today. To do this we have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and on his teaching as we reach out in love to all people especially the most marginalised, however, our lives will bear no fruit if they are not rooted in prayer and sacrament which are the channels of his divine grace and help to keep us attached to the true vine. (John 15:5)

Jesus reminds us that the deep prayer of his heart is that we would all share in the unity that he had with his father; ‘As you Father are in me and I am in you’ (John 17:21) This prayer has never been more needed than in our world today; war, divisions and hatred destroy the lives and hopes of so many people and grieve the heart of God.  During this Lenten season, we may join our prayer with the prayer of Jesus when he asks that we all be one with one another and with his heavenly Father.  We may ask ourselves what division exist in our own hearts and communities that draw us away from each other and from God. Our world is in a state of political chaos where old political tensions are causing untold anguish to innocent people, millions are dying of starvation, and many more are held hostage as political pawns between super-powers in conflict zones where respect for human life and dignity are no more. We ask ourselves what positive actions must we take as individuals or church communities locally and nationally to begin to address this suffering. How do we approach our political leaders and implore them to speak at the United Nations and other forums to begin to address these matters.

Nearer home, acknowledging our own vulnerability we ask God for the graces that we need to witness to Him where we are.  Through our Lenten prayer and fasting we can help to cast out the devils of pornography, child exploitation, peoples’ involvement with the occult and all forms of violence.  We are invited to be labourers in his harvest, so that none may be scattered but gathered into God’s harvest and share in the joys of His kingdom. (Matthew 9:37)

You may wish to join a Justice and Peace group that campaigns with government on local and national political issues.

You may sign on-line justice petitions to call for an end to the Arms and Nuclear trade.

You may support young people in their understanding of correct and safe use of the internet.

Prayer Loving Father, I thank you for inviting me to

witness to you in the world.

I thank you for the grace of baptism,

the sacrament of your church,

the power of your most holy Word.

May many come to know you, most holy God

give you glory and worship you,

this day and always, Amen.