＂The Finger of God。＂

that signifies the authority and power of God in the world.

Jesus said, "But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons,

then the kingdom of God has come to you."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Jeremiah 7:23-28

One thing I did command them:

Listen to my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in the way I command you and all will be well with you.

But they did not listen and paid no attention. They followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away from me.

From the time I brought their ancestors out of Egypt until this day I have continually sent them my servants, the prophets;

but this stiff-necked people did not listen. They paid no attention and were worse than their ancestors.

You may say all these things to them but they will not listen. You will call them but they will not answer.

This is a nation that did not obey the Lord and refused to be disciplined. Truth has perished and is no longer heard from their lips.

 

Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 11:14-23

One day, Jesus was driving out a demon which was mute. When the demon had been driven out, the mute person could speak,

and the people were amazed. Yet some of them said, "He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons."

Others wanted to put him to the test, by asking him for a heavenly sign.

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, "Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall.

If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul?

 

If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons? They will be your judges, then.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God; would not this mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you?

As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe. But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him,

the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"The finger of God."

Stiff necks and hard hearts! It doesn't sound very healthy, but this is the way the people are described in today's readings.

If we were talking about arthritis or blocked arteries, we would seek medical attention to restore movement and vitality.

The same is true of our spiritual life. If we are stubborn and unbending in our desire to pursue our own interests at others' expense,

or at the expense of the truth; if our hearts are hardened and unresponsive to God's commands, our spiritual health will be in a poor state,

because we will lose the capacity to see God's hand at work in our lives.

 

This is why the people cannot recognize the Holy Spirit – "the finger of God" – at work in the actions of Jesus.

So, if we are stiff necked and hard of heart, we will fail to see God at work in the world, and we will fail to work for God.

May Christ, the Physician, heal our spiritual maladies, so that, instead of further contributing to our fragmented world,

we can work with our Lord and Saviour, to draw things to unity in him.