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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The finger of God

The finger of God

Published Mar 6, 2024 04:08 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Jesus alludes to this incident when he uses the phrase “finger of God.” He has just driven out the demon from a mute person. While the crowds are awed, some people attribute the miracle to the power of Beelzebul. 

Jesus replies by pointing to the absurdity of Satan fighting against himself. God’s Spirit is in Jesus who is God’s finger at work to free men and women from Satan and the forces of evil. Those who follow Jesus share in his victory over evil and continue his liberating mission. 

Besides representing divine power working mighty signs and wonders for his people, God’s finger (or “hand”) is seen in the created world—the heavens, the moon, the stars, humans, and animals (Ps 8). The finger of God is at work even today, also in you. Do you believe in your power to do good and conquer evil?

First Reading • Jer 7:23-28 

Thus says the Lord: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. 

They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me. 

From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets. 

Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers. When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either; when you call to them, they will not answer you. 

Say to them: This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.

Gospel • Luke 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 puts 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: “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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