The scribes who have come from Jerusalem do not just see Jesus as “out of his mind” but also afflicted with a more serious condition. They accuse him of being possessed by an unclean spirit and driving out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Through an aphorism—that a kingdom or a house divided against itself cannot stand—Jesus says that it is ridiculous to state that he who casts out demons is in league with Satan (probably another name for Beelzebul). Rather, his healing miracles and his forgiveness of sinners are the very opposite of Satanic work of oppressing people. Unfortunately, what the scribes merely see is Jesus’ breach of the Sabbath rule that makes Jesus “demonic.” “A house divided against itself will not be able to stand” convinced President Abraham Lincoln that if he allowed the Confederate States to co-exist alongside the Union States, the nation would not survive, with one part allowing slavery and the other making it illegal. And so, Civil War broke out with its toll of death and bloodshed, but with America remaining as one united nation, the most powerful country today. And Lincoln is considered one of the greatest presidents of the United States. In political life, unity is being arranged among parties to assure victory in elections. If this unity is not preserved due to ambitions and quarrels among members, the administration becomes weak, leading to it being replaced by another group. Likewise, in spiritual and religious matters, it is important to remain united. Jesus says that if we do not remain in him, we will eventually scatter. And the Church will experience schism if members value more their individual views rather than follow the Church’s Magisterium.

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”