In a rather dramatic moment, Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man, only to see some accusing Him of acting with the power of Beelzebub – one of the seven princes of Satan.
First, a reality regarding sin
Luke describes the exorcism of a mute man to the amazement of those who witness it. The reality of the Kingdom of God among us is exemplified by God’s power over the spiritually dark forces. The exorcism of the mute man is real, but the cure is also an allegory to the bondage of sin being set free through the body (and here also the words) of Jesus. There is a sacramental moment here.
The available cure for us
My bondage to some sins is reflected in the reality that it seems I confess the same sins every time: A lack of the virtue of patience, a lack of expressing my love for my wife as I should, etc…
I once heard Scott Hahn at a conference confess that he too seems to articulate the same sins each time, to which his confessor rebutted that it was better than committing new ones. We all laughed but once the laugh died down -the same sin over and over seems to indicate both an unwillingness to amend and perhaps even question my true repentance in the confessional. Yet, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is, nonetheless, hearing the same voice of Jesus, indicating the forgiveness that helps us try to go out and sin no more.
The Divided Kingdom – where hope can exist
Elsewhere in the Gospel, Jesus explains that in His kingdom, weeds and wheat grow side by side, and that only at the end of time will the separation occur. I am grateful to God that weeds are not pulled at first detection, for there was a time when I was clearly a weed in His kingdom. I am happy to reflect that while I may not be the finest wheat – I am no longer just a weed. God, in His compassion, gave me a long enough life that a transformative conversion from weed to wheat could occur.
Dealing with division, a continuing sad reality
Some of the witnesses said Jesus cured by the power of Darkness. We see this still in the current political climate, at least in the United States. No matter what some do, even if amazingly good – those who disagree find an angle to declare it evil. The people of today seem equally disposed to be blind to goodness done by someone they dislike.
Do you object to someone so strongly that nothing is good about them? Is it impossible to see in that person how God loves her or him? If Jesus can be seen to be from the Devil, others may at least superficially appear to also qualify.
Unfortunately, I have seen this even when some speak of the Holy Father in Rome. Instead, please pray for the Pope more often than you critique him, and trust that Jesus is in charge. As to that Politician you despise? Do likewise – pray for her or him more than you criticize. Remember, we are to act with Faith working in Love. (Gal 5:6).
May God bless us all.
