Jesus and Beelzebul

Today's Reflections

Jesus and Beelzebul 

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Lk 11:14-23

¹⁴[Jesus] was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. ¹⁵Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” ¹⁶Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. ¹⁷But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. ¹⁸And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. ¹⁹If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. ²²But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. ²³Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Reflection:

One stronger. Jesus is not an ally of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. He is rather the man who is stronger than Beelzebul and overcomes him, and “takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.” And so, Jesus invites us to ally ourselves with him so that we may be victorious over the devil.

There is no neutrality when it comes to Jesus. We are either with him or against him. And if we are against him, that means that we are allied to his enemy, the devil. Jesus has turned the tables on his detractors and given them proper warning while subtly inviting them to join him.

By the sacrament of Confirmation,

we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit

to be stronger than Beelzebul.