FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 8, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Lk 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

But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

Let us not be fooled. The kingdom of Satan is alive in this world, oppressing God's people. Jesus had just driven out a demon from a mute person. And the moment the demon left, the mute was able to speak. And the crowds began to murmur and think that surely Jesus had power from Beelzebul, the prince of demons.

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to give His life for sinners. It was to be the greatest act of self-giving love. Not only was Jesus to die to redeem us but He was preparing us for when He would depart to be able to partake of His resurrected body daily as well as to have a spiritual provision for "on our way home" moment.

He has us covered with His strength and though physically gone continues to battle for our souls. God loves us with an unmerited love because He is love. And it is His grace that makes us lovable and reassures us that He will protect us with just "the finger of God".

The Missionaries of Charity show this unconditional love to many prostitutes, drug dealers, thieves and many others. We would most likely be frightened of them, thinking that we could never change their lives. Yet the sisters have done this over and over. How do they change one soul's life? Their secret is in loving the person while they were still sinners. The sinner, while being touched by Christ, can be delivered from the power of the devil.

It is good to do acts of mercy and charity, but they should be done in love so that many may feel the loving touch of others.

God Bless You