Read Joel 1:13-15,2:1-2, Ps. 9:2-3,6,16,8-9, Luke 11:15-26
“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons!’” (Luke 11:15)
Someone once said: “There are only two days the whole world would speak well of you, the day you were born and the day you will die. In between, you just have to manage!” This saying is so true that it even applies to Jesus Christ himself.
By accusing Jesus of operating by the power of demons, they were indirectly saying only demons have the power to cast themselves out or that Jesus is not as powerful as the demons.
Jesus responded by saying: “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.” (Luke 11:21-22).
In other words, demons might be powerful but God is more powerful, demons might be the strong man fully armed but God is the one stronger who attacks and overpowers them.
To this day, many of us fear demons (evil spirits) more than we fear God. You have sleepless nights when a juju priest threatens your life but you see nothing wrong with playing with your phone even during mass.
It is sad to see Christians who are not afraid of telling lies even while holding the Bible thus revealing that even though they profess the faith and attend church activities, deep within them, they do not actually believe in God. We need to really examine ourselves today.
Do I still fear God? Or better put, do I believe that God is stronger than witches and wizards, demons, and principalities? Do I believe there is more power in the Bible, in Holy Communion, in the Blessed Sacrament than a combination of all the strongest of the shrines of the local gods today?
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I repent of my fears and falsehood. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 27 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Joel 1:13-15,2:1-2, Ps. 9:2-3,6,16,8-9, Luke 11:15-26)