From the responsorial psalm: “I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 11:15-26)
“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.”
Jesus identifies himself as “one stronger” than Beelzebul, who overcomes him, takes away his armor, and distributes the spoils of victory over every soul he saves. In a chilling description of demons, Jesus describes their behavior and exposes their strategy to possess souls. Looking for a place to rest, the demons return to a soul that has been swept clean. “Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits,” Jesus says, “more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.” Helpless to save ourselves, Jesus is stronger than the strong man and brings our souls into unity with the Father. Deliver us, Lord, from every evil!
God, you know every one of my vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Keep me safe today from the Evil One; in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, keep him far from me in his restless roaming. When I am weak, let me know your strength, Lord; when I am vulnerable, be my refuge. Grant me the wisdom to know what I should truly fear and for what reason I call for your protection. As Saint John XXIII said, “It is the soul’s hell that you must fear, not the hell of the body.” Saint John XXIII, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.