Reflection
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is accused of casting out demons in the name of Beezebul, or Satan as we call the Evil One. While untrue this reading helps us understand the power of Satan as well as the power of Christ to defeat him.
Evil is not an impersonal force that just happens. It has a name and a face and it seeks to master every heart and soul on the face of the earth (cf. 1 Peter 5:8-9). Scripture identifies the Evil One by many names, 'Satan', 'Beelzebul - the 'prince of demons', the 'Devil', etc., who is the fallen angel who broke rank with God and established his own army and kingdom in opposition to God.
Jesus came to overthrow the power of Satan and his kingdom. Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battle with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). He overcame the Evil One through his obedience to the will of his Father. Jesus is teaching us that we too can overcome the power of Satan by imitating Jesus in both His service to others and obedience to the Father’s will.
In his second argument against those testing Him, Jesus asserts that no kingdom divided against itself can survive for long. We have witnessed enough wars in our own time to prove the destructive force at work here destroys nations of peoples and their land. Jesus and the Blessed Trinity are the only power, the power of Divine Love, that can bring peoples together in unity and overcome the power of evil. We must continue to seek unity with others, helping to build and inhabit the Kingdom of God in this world. The love, grace and peace that fills us in God’s Kingdom may be temporary in this life but is a foretaste of the eternal love and peace when we are with Jesus in the next life.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and his Word?
Source for today’s reflection: https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2026&date=oct9