Luke 11:14-23 NRSVue
14Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?—for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
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Reflection on Luke 11:14-23
Inspiration from 2027-03-04 Daily Prayer
In today’s gospel, Jesus offers a lesson on the importance of unity, highlighting that internal divisions will destroy kingdoms or households. While those listening were caught in an attitude of worldly conflict, Jesus offers an alternative vision: we are to appreciate the goodness of others and work together with people of goodwill.
These words of Jesus remind us that internal division weakens communities while unity strengthens us. When Pope Francis issued the encyclical Laudato Si’, he addressed it not only to the Church but to ‘every person living on this planet’. The vision was to bring the entire human family together in a common goal to protect our planet. Our message is stronger when we work together. What voices in the climate movement have had the greatest impact on you? Give thanks for their leadership and inspiration.
Further reflection
Lord, let me not be one of the passive ones, who contribute to the triumph of evil by staying on the fence. If I am not on the way, I am in the way.
Talk about devils is difficult to bring to prayer. The times of Jesus pitted good against evil in very personalised and dramatic ways. It may not be helpful now to delve too much into what Beelzebul or Satan may mean. But the confrontation of good and evil, and sometimes very strong evil, is still prevalent. Each moment of prayer brings a person in touch with goodness; with the goodness of God created in the heart of every man and woman
The people who criticise Jesus focused on the demons not on the one who sought to banish them. Sometimes I become preoccupied by negative details, by failures and disappointments. I ask Jesus to help me during this Lent to realise that he calls me away from any ill that holds me back.
As I realise how I need to reform my life during lent, I remember not to depend on my own efforts but learn to rely on Jesus who gathers me together.
Even the best of actions are open to misjudgement. I pray that I may seek out the best interpretation of the events around me and ask for the inspiration of God's spirit as I do.