(Optional Memorial for Saint Denis, Bishop and Martyr, and His Companions, Martyrs)
(Optional Memorial for Saint John Leonardi, Priest)
 |
| “An Angel and a Devil Fighting for the Soul of a Child” by Giacinto Gimignani, 1650s |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2
Commentary on Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2
The oracle of the Prophet Joel is set against a time (around 400 B.C.) when Israel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 9:2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9
R. (9) The Lord will judge the world with justice.
Commentary on Ps 9:2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9
The assembly of the strophes from Psalm 9 gives us first a poem of thanksgiving. This is followed by a recollection of God’s support of the children of Israel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Luke 11:15-26
Commentary on Lk 11:15-26
In this selection from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Lord is challenged by the Pharisees who do not deny the reality of the miracle, but want one of national importance (as befitting the Royal Messiah) as opposed to the one he performs – salvation for the poor and needy. His critics say that he has power over evil spirits because he is in league with Satan, their master. Jesus refutes this idea (he actually makes an allusion to Exodus 8:15 where by the “finger of God” Moses brought about God’s will and the Egyptian magicians were unable to duplicate his actions) asking “if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” He then tells his audience that God is stronger than Satan which is why he is able to cast them out.
The passage concludes with subtle but important message that says in essence – if an evil that tortures the spirit is removed and strength from God is not substituted to fill it up, that evil will return, worse than before (see also 2 Peter 2:20).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The challenge of Jesus in the Gospel is handled relatively easily with the Lord simply applying logic to the situation. When these members of the crowd start the rumor that the reason Jesus has power over evil spirits is because he is somehow in league with Beelzebul or Satan, the Lord virtually scoffs as he says “…if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Even the idea of their mistrust is difficult for us who know the Lord’s true identity.
If we find it so easy to believe in Jesus, why is it that belief in the existence of a real and present Satan is difficult for many of us? Why is it that when we face a difficult situation we assume that the only barriers we face to the accomplishment of positive results will be our faith in the Lord and our own good sense? We frequently fall into the trap of assuming that just because we think, on the surface, an objective is a good one or our action is what God would want, does not mean the Evil One is not standing right beside us encouraging us (or discouraging us) as well.
Here is an example. Let’s say a Sister of Charity happens to encounter a homeless man. The man appears to be hungry and destitute. Sister’s heart goes out to him as would the heart of her patron, St. Vincent DePaul. Now her order insists that no Sister may put herself in harm’s way even for a charitable cause but this sister feels the man genuinely needs her help and decides to drive him to a nearby shelter so he can be fed and taken care of. Once in the car, the man pulls a weapon and forces the Sister to drive up an alley and the rest can be imagined.
The impulse of Christ was what drove sister to put aside caution but unfortunately, as heroic as her action may have seemed, it allowed Satan, who had long held sway over the man, to put another nail into the Crucified Christ the sister’s husband. As difficult as it is, we must always remember that the innocence of the Garden of Eden was ruined by the embodiment of Satan in the snake. Always he is present and we must be cautious.
While it is true for all of us who attempt to do God’s work. It is most especially important for the Church’s vowed, consecrated and ordained servants who are special targets of the Champion of Evil. Evan as we strive to achieve the faith of a little child we must always be on our guard that we do not inadvertently assist Beelzebul in his plan of domination and destruction.
Pax
[2] The picture is “An Angel and a Devil Fighting for the Soul of a Child” by Giacinto Gimignani, 1650s
No comments:
Post a Comment