Gospel LK 11:14-23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them 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.”
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them 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.”
I saw this quote about food: "The food you eat either makes you less healthy or more healthy. Those are your options." Today's reading declares that our relationship with God is equally as black and white. From moment to moment, we are either turning toward God and drawing closer, or turning away and separating ourselves from The Source. Those are our options. If food is any indication of my faithfulness, I've got a long way to go! Despite what I think I know about eating for good health, a day rarely goes by when I eat something that might not be the most healthful. But in my mind, I think it will taste good, I want it, and I eat it! Could it be that satisfying my desires, cravings, and urges may be derailing my walk with God? I believe so...why else would Jesus talk about "denying oneself daily." It's like the air has just been sucked out of the room when I reflect on this. And yet that's what the Lenten season is all about: praying, fasting, and almsgiving. All of these practices help me to think about myself less and about God and others more.
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