The Word of God
But some of them said, 'He casts out demons by Beelzebul, 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 the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, 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 to 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 gather with me scatters.
'When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, "I will return to my house from which I came." When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.'
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- We are less inclined to use the language of demonic possession, but this does not stop us from understanding much of what Jesus teaches here. He announces that God is in charge, God has bound up the strong man, so all the factions and parties vying for power are meaningless: 'the Kingdom of God has come to you'.
- The drama of the unclean spirit wandering around is a powerful story of what psychology calls the 'return of the repressed'. If you try to repress a painful memory or emotion, you will fail, because it will only erupt with even greater and more destructive force. For religious people, anxious to distance themselves from their own sinfulness, and from sin in general, this can result in judgemental hypocrisy - as Jesus knew all too well.
- How about me? Am I truly committed to building up God’s Kingdom? Do the 'demons' of self-satisfaction and false holiness have any kind of purchase in my house?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Disbelief and denial swells and bursts to the surface in today’s gospel. The people of Jesus’ time deny that the good which He does comes through the power of God. Jesus’ self-defence is simple: evil cannot be overthrown by evil. Good overpowers evil. Evil paralyses good.
- As humans we cannot always be trusted. Trusting in the power of God is having faith that there is someone powerful and loving at the source of all the events of our lives, of all the events in the world, and all the extraordinary events in the universe. We could pause for a few moments of prayer for the world, in praise of the good that emanates from God.
- As humans we cannot always be trusted. Trusting in the power of God is having faith that there is someone powerful and loving at the source of all the events of our lives, of all the events in the world, and all the extraordinary events in the universe. We could pause for a few moments of prayer for the world, in praise of the good that emanates from God.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- 'The kingdom of God has come to you'. I note the sense of urgency in these words, the pressing invitation to take sides and commit myself fully to the Kingdom.
- Like the opponents of Jesus, instead of accepting that often his actions and presence are really mysterious, we sometimes say incredibly stupid things about God. I bow in adoration before his saving presence in our complex and violent world.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The Gospel today gives the story of some people who refused to accept the great good that Jesus was doing and instead accused him of doing this good work as an agent of evil. The logic of this baffles us but people can go to extremes rather than change their convictions. Likewise Jesus reminds us that when we have been helped to make progress under his guidance, we should be careful to stay in his company lest we are tempted to revert to our old ways.
- I can speak to the Lord and ask him to help me to be open to goodness and to avoid being overcritical of others.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- God’s Spirit will always lead us to life and truth. Other spirits may distract us with false promises but we need not fear them when we honestly seek God’s way and follow Jesus’ words. I pray that I may respect and love those who follow God in sincerity even if they differ from me. I ask that I be alert to any voice that distracts me from my path of discipleship.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- What are my demons? Can I name even one of them? Whatever makes me unfree can be called a demon. Demons possess us, whereas angels liberate us for love and service. When I feel driven to work too hard, or to spend too much money on myself, I am in danger of being possessed by either urge. Lord, liberate me, please!
- Jesus is confident that good will be victorious over evil. But he challenges me to say which side I belong to. Can he rely on me? Am I truly committed to building up God’s Kingdom? .
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The opposition which Jesus faced was endless. Here he argues that demons can only be cast out by ‘the finger of God’, which symbolizes divine power. With every victory over evil the kingdom of God becomes more firmly established.
- It is said that if those in recovery from an addiction lapse into their former negative life-style, their new condition may be far worse than before. Am I resolved, with the help of God’s power, to continue to progress on the path of health and growth?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Am I divided within myself, or do I try to be fully made over to Jesus as his disciple?
- When I notice a bad spirit in my heart toward someone, I need to ask Jesus to free me.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Temptations to stray off the path of Jesus are always part of life. We find ourselves challenged in all sorts of areas of life like wealth, success, sexuality, comfort, justice. The humble person knows that we can fall often, but that the real follower of Jesus is the one who can rise from a fall, and do the best in the future.