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Manila Bulletin devider Reflections devider By the finger of God

By the finger of God

Published Mar 24, 2022 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY “Finger of God” is an expression used by the sacred authors to point to God’s power to do mighty signs and wonders for his people Israel. The two tablets of the Ten Commandments were inscribed by God’s own finger (Ex 31:18). The hosts of heaven—the sun, the moon, and the stars—are the work of the fingers/hands of God (Ps 8:4). The great Michelangelo, in painting the creation of man in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, has the finger of God touching the finger of Adam. Here, Jesus says that the power to drive out demons is the very power of God. It cannot come from the devil because Jesus fights against him. To attribute Jesus’ power to Satan or Beelzebul or to see Jesus in league with the devil is to sin against the Holy Spirit, for it is the same Holy Spirit who works in Jesus. To see good things as coming from God’s adversary is grievous indeed. Gospel • Lk 11:14-23  Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 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. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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