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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste

Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste

Published Oct 10, 2024 11:18 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

To divide and conquer was the motto of the Roman Empire when it came to expanding their territories. They would sow discord among the inhabitants of the land they were eyeing to subjugate in order to weaken their strength and capabilities. 


When people are united, they do not easily fall into the hands of their enemies. When there is infighting, an outside force easily takes over. It was the infighting that the Romans instigated that did away many cities and countries and had cost them their freedom. 


The division among Christians, among Catholics, among us people of the world can easily destroy us, if lessons from history are to be recounted. We should be able to overcome our divisions by fostering common values that are truly worth pursuing so that justice, peace, and integrity of creation may reign in the world. When we fight among ourselves, we all lose.

 

Gospel • Luke 11:15-26 
 

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd 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. “When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 


But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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