Today is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Many of our parishes here in Reno are being blessed by those who are preparing to enter the Church during the Easter Vigil, which as reported we have 626 people preparing for the Sacraments. The Rite of Christian Initiation Program is designed to assist the personal journeys to make similar affirmations, and today we will be having Rite of Scrutiny after this mass. During this interrogation of the candidates, Jesus would be meeting them in their heads and hearts to confront them even in the dark times of personal shame. They long for a brighter light and self-acceptance with gratitude into their lives. They would find something differently new. Just as Jesus told His followers that His life’s work was to complete creation, the work of revelation, our deepest desire is union with God.
Today’s epistle, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, urges us to listen to his advice, “Be ye followers of God…, as most dear children; walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered Himself for us…..” Once we commit as followers of God, the grace of God brings a mighty change in our souls. We walk as children of light, having knowledge and holiness. I know that these works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast, for they end in the destruction of the unrepentant sinner.
There are many ways of encouraging, or taking part in the sins of others, by supporting them, wrong counseling, giving consent to do wrong, or concealment. If we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their afflictions. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have partnership with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measure shameful, but see it as a breach of God’s holy law. After the example of the Saints, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
The gospel from St. Luke 11:14-28 demonstrates the escalating tension between Jesus and these religious leaders. Instead of coming to Jesus with docile hearts and open minds, they accused Jesus of expelling out Satan by the power of Satan, and they challenged Him by demanding some sign from heaven. This is just another recurrence of Satan tempting Jesus to use His power to throw Himself at the parapet of the temple. However, Jesus soundly refuted their demands by giving this extensive teaching on spiritual conflict, the heavenly war. We learn that Jesus’ power authenticates His victory over Satan; therefore, we must decisively believe and follow Him. We either follow Christ into battle on His side, or we oppose Him and remain on Satan’s side. These are the crucial issues behind this gospel’s pericope of Luke.
What are the spiritual insights and lessons we could get out of this particular gospel text:
First, the scripture clearly mentions that Satan is real, who rebelled against God and His commandments, and called Jesus “Beelzebub,” a popular name for the prince of the demons (principe daemoniorum.), but Jesus says, “You say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out?” Thus, there is a spiritual battle raging between Jesus and the evil spirits. Since Jesus’ purpose is to glorify His Father through the human race, created in His image, Satan’s purpose is to defile and corrupt people so that their lives do not bring glory to God.
Second, Jesus has absolute authority and control against Satan. In the gospels, we read that every time Jesus casts out a demon, He rebukes the possessed and the devil obeyed. Yet in spite of His obvious power, these religious leaders accused Him of casting out demons by Satan’s power. Even though Jesus here knew their thoughts, this did not convince them that He was from God! I guess these unbelievers are seemingly blinded by the god of this world. No miracles and wonder suffice to change their hearts of unbelief. We learn from this that belief in Jesus Christ is not simply a matter of having sufficient evidence to be convinced, but the need of resignation to submit our hearts to God.
Third, Jesus says, “If I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (11:20). This phrase, “finger of God” goes back to Exodus 8:19 when magicians were telling Pharoah that they recognize God’s power thru Moses. Indeed, Jesus is saying it is an act that is clearly God’s doing. Jesus added that the kingdom of God had come upon them.
Fourth, Jesus’ deliverance of people from Satan’s bondage anticipates the coming of the Kingdom, especially in the hearts of those who believe, and for those hearts to fully submit to live in Him.
What are we going to do entering the third Sunday of Lent? Satan is our great enemy. We must be vigilant and realistic of the mischief Satan is actively doing to deceive us. If we think we have much power, then use our tongues in prayer and praise. Never hesitate to speak to God and speak about God, especially to those who are unchurched.
I have had many incidents with several families asking for minor exorcisms and prayers of deliverance from evil, both Catholics and non-Catholics, because of unexplained occurrences and Satan is blatantly manifesting. This is my first question, “Are you coming to your church?” If Catholic, I ask if they are active in receiving the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist? If none of these, I clearly inform them that Satan is there to get them and disturb their life when God is being set aside, or when God doesn’t have anything to do with their life. Either the person ignores or rejects the gospel and remains in Satan’s domain or, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” (Col. 1:13)
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
