Both of today’s readings (Joel 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2 and the Gospel of Luke 11: 15-26) speak about the presence of evil in the world and how God will/is dealing with it. The prophet Joel prophesies that the day of the Lord is near and that it comes as ruin (to satanic forces and injustices, to that which destroys life: human traffickers, abortionists, murderers, adulterers, thieves, abusers, terrorists, perpetrators of war and all forms of evil in the world of our day). Evil within every nation, every country, every household, every person will be confronted by an all-holy, just, compassionate, forgiving God. Everyone will have the opportunity to repent and believe in the Good News, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and be transformed by grace. In the Gospel, Jesus’ critics and stalkers accuse Him of casting out demons/evil by the power of Beelzebub, by evil itself, as though Satan would be working to throw himself out of human life when his goal is that we rebel against God as he did. Jesus’ response to his discreditors is: “If I’m casting out Satan through Satan, by whom do your people cast them out; a house divided against itself will not prevail.” He then proclaims that the Kingdom of Heaven is in our midst as evidenced by demons being overcome and other signs of “Emmanual-with-us.” Both readings are heralds of hope. Salvation is here. Wickedness and evil will not triumph over grace. The myriad faces of evil will be destroyed, as God, the just judge, comes to judge the world with justice. Those caught in Satan’s snares will be offered the chance to be free through a loving, redeeming, caring and generous God. Those who refuse the gift of salvation will be judged justly. Justice will be served!
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