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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider By the power of Beelzebul

By the power of Beelzebul

Published Oct 12, 2023 04:05 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Beelzebul or Beelzebub is a name derived from a Philistine god, formerly worshiped in Ekron, and later adopted in the Bible as a major demon (2 Kgs 1:2-3). The name Beelzebul is associated with the Canaanite god Baal. Luke simply uses the name as synonym for Satan. The “Beelzebul controversy” is common in the Synoptic Gospels (Mk 3:22-30; Mt 12:22- 32). That Jesus is accused of a demonic power is deeply rooted in the Gospel tradition. His success in exorcism prompts some people in the crowd to accuse him of being in league with Beelzebul, the prince of demons. 


Another group of detractors, to test Jesus, ask for a sign from heaven. This heightens their hostility; they “test” Jesus as the devil did (Lk 4:2). Just as the devil failed in his first attempt to conquer Jesus, so he fails again and again. The devil might be a “strong man,” a dark power who holds sway over human beings. But Jesus is the stronger man. The new era that Jesus inaugurates marks the beginning of the end of Satan’s power. Jesus is God’s agent who, with the power of God’s word, vanquishes Satan.

 

FIRST READING • Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2 
Gird yourselves and weep, O priests! wail, O ministers of the altar! Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! The house of your God is deprived of offering and libation. Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, Into the house of the Lord, your God, and cry to the Lord! 


Alas, the day! for near is the day of the Lord, and it comes as ruin from the Almighty. 


Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! Like dawn spreading over the mountains a people numerous and mighty! Their like has not been from of old, nor will it be after them, even to the years of distant generations.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
 

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