In today’s Gospel, Luke 11:14-23, the crowd accused Jesus of
casting a demon out of a mute man through the power of Satan himself. Jesus’ response was: “If I…drive out demons
by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people
drive them out?” If Satan is driving out demons, the Satan’s kingdom
will not stand, as “[e]very kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.” Jesus goes on further to say: 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.”
Jesus is that strong man who takes on Satan. Jesus is the one who “attacks and overcomes” Satan who “prowls the world seeking someone
to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus “takes away [Satan’s] armor on which he relied.”
Satan relies on lies to trap us into
being his servant, listening to his voice instead of listening to the voice of
God.
May we, today, distinguish between the voice of Satan and the voice of
the Lord. Satan lies. God is Truth. When we are being true to our inmost
selves, the self that is directed by the Holy Spirit, we are at peace and we do
things that lead to our peace and peace around us. In peace we are able to look
for the good in ourselves and others and affirm that. In peace, we refrain from
reacting to others divisive ways, their arguments, and aggressive behaviors. We
are able to walk away and maintain our peace. We become peacemakers and rabble rousers.
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