demons.” Jesus called them to him, and began teaching them by means of stories, or parables.
“How can Satan drive out Satan? If a nation is divided by civil war, that nation cannot stand. If a
family divides itself into groups, that family will not survive. In the same way, if Satan has risen
against himself and is divided, he will not stand; he is finished. No one can break into the house
of a strong man in order to plunder his goods, unless he first ties up the strong man. Then indeed,
he can plunder his house. Truly, I say to you, every sin will be forgiven humankind, even insults to
God, however numerous. But whoever slanders the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He carries
the guilt of his sin forever.” This was their sin when they said, “He has an unclean
spirit in him.”
Relect
“True unity is self-giving.” As Christians, we are called to work for greater unity. Further, our
present reality shows that individuals with wrong motivations can also bond together. Some
people can stand together for wicked and selfish intentions. When people act together for
ill and self-serving reasons, it is not true unity. True unity lasts and serves the common good.
False unity is self-securing. True unity is self-giving. The Gospel narrates that Jesus cast out
unclean spirits. Those people liberated by Jesus from unclean spirits experienced God’s
goodness. Yet, the teachers of law accused Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul to cast
out demons. Jesus answered them that Satan cannot drive out Satan. This implies the clear
demarcation line that separates good from evil. If those on the side of evil can bond together
to cause harm and sufferings to people, those on the side of goodness are challenged
to unite themselves to work together for the wellbeing of everyone. No doubt, the word
of God always has the power to unite the people of goodwill. Let us now be open to the
unifying power of God’s word.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024