In today’s Gospel Jesus has literally been demonized by some opponents after he has just performed an exorcism. His opponents cannot deny that he has performed a healing and exorcism that was just described in the previous verse:
“He was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed.” (11:14).
So, instead they demonize him and accuse him of being in league with the devil: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Jesus goes on to teach that not only is he not in league with the devil but rather he is in league with God:
“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.”
Jesus is stronger than the devil and has overcome him and taken away his power. So, Jesus wants us to live under the power and love of God. St. Paul teaches that in baptism we have died to the power of Sin and the Devil:
“What then shall we say? Shall we persist in sin that grace may abound? Of course not! How can we who died to sin yet live in it? Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” (Romans 6:1-4).
We are called to live in newness of life. One of the great challenges for us today is to avoid excessive language and personal attacks in our discourse, particularly in our political discourse. Sadly, too often our disagreements quickly descend to name calling and demonizing of our opponent. We can do better as citizens but especially as Christians. Let’s try each day to avoid personal attacks and caricaturing and demonizing those with whom we disagree. They also are created in the image and likeness of God.
Image: “14 Casting the demon out of the boy (after the Transfiguration, I think)” by fz1844 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.