3 March 2016
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
One of the objections cast at Jesus was that “by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons” (Lk 11:15). This objection sounds odd to us today. It is kind of like saying that this whole exorcism bit is just smoke and mirrors. It is like saying that sure, Jesus’ exorcism appears to make someone better, but really, things are no better at all and maybe worse.
Don’t we, in our own way, repeat this objection from time to time? “I went to mass, but I don’t feel any better than I did before.” “If I go to confession, is that really going to make things any better?” “I’m just too busy to pray.” With these thoughts, we can subtly accuse the Church and even Jesus himself of being little more than smoke and mirrors. It is not that we speak this accusation or write it, but that we may feel it sometimes.
No. It is by the finger of God that Jesus Christ casts out demons, and the kingdom of God has come upon us. “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” (Lk 11:21-22). The prince of demons has not stopped fighting over us. Let us turn to Christ, the only one stronger than any strong man, and join in his victory.