The Gospel according to Luke (11:15-26)
When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd 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.
“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.’
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits
more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,
and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”
Reflection:
We should be familiar with the phrase “Divide and Conquer”. It is a strategy that exists in the Military, Business world, and unfortunately in our own families and homes. This method proves successful because it affects the abilities and strengths that we possess when we are united in one cause or purpose.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is challenged by those who witness his miracles, specifically driving out a demon from a mute. People accused him of using the power of Beelzebul to do what he did. This is where Jesus tries to explain that division is a source of weakness. He knows, as well as we do, that this is exactly what the evil one wants. I mean, it is obvious this is happening in so many places in our world. Division is the name of the game. It is causing so much confusion and turmoil. It keeps us off balance to the point that we succumb to the darkness that permeates our souls and keeps us from the grace we need to overcome the darkness.
So, what to do. Well, like many important decisions, it’s not that complicated. The solution is easy. What is difficult is the strength and courage it takes to move in a certain direction. And there are only two choices, with Jesus or not. We can either take a step closer to God’s grace or further away. Beware, because the evil one will try to divide not just your environments and relationships, he will try to divide you. So Jesus, at the end of the Gospel gives us a warning. If we manage to rid ourselves of something that is keeping us away from God’s grace, then we need to allow that grace to occupy the space left by the inequity we removed. Otherwise, the forces of evil will regroup and with greater intensity try to reestablish their influence. We simply need to move in the only direction that will reunite and reinvigorate our greatest desire, unity with God and each other.
Action of the day: There is some part of your life that has existed in division for too long. Although the solution is not complicated, we are. We over think, over analyze, overcompensate, and do many other things that prevent us from unity. That is not to say our issues or challenges are not difficult, but what do we really want? No one wants to suffer. We all desire peace and harmony. What will it take to make that first step away from division and to be with Jesus to gather and not scatter?
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