LENT 3
by Deacon Dan Farley
Some individuals will remain unbelievers, as their hearts are so hardened that even the most extraordinary signs from God will not sway them. However, this should not deter us from sharing the Gospel with them or cease our prayers on their behalf. It is simply a part of reality. In fact, it emphasizes the need for even more prayer, acknowledging that true conversion is always the result of the Holy Spirit working to soften those hardened hearts.
In the Gospel for Lent 3, Jesus expels a mute demon from a man, prompting some to marvel while others demand a miraculous sign from heaven. Meanwhile, some accuse Jesus of driving out the demon through the power of Beelzebul, a derogatory term for Satan that implies he rules over filth. Although this accusation is illogical, it is also profoundly blasphemous. Jesus frees a man from a demon that caused his muteness, yet some people claim that “Jesus is doing the work of the devil. We should take a moment to acknowledge that the situation remains unchanged.
Society continues to label good as bad and bad as good. If you support the pro-life movement, you are accused of being sexist and wanting to dominate women’s choices. If you uphold traditional marriage or recognize the distinctions between men and women, you’re deemed homophobic. As a believer, it’s important to recognize that this world opposes God, Jesus, and by extension, you, as a child of God. We inhabit a reality that consistently reverses the concepts of good and evil. The sooner you accept this truth, the better off you’ll be.
Jesus illustrates the absurdity of the accusation that He drives out demons through Beelzebul’s power. Instead, He asserts that it is by God’s authority that He expels demons, indicating that God’s kingdom has arrived among those who mock His actions. The phrase “the finger of God” that Jesus uses is quite intriguing, as it appears only four times in the Bible. We encountered it in our reading from the Old Testament (Ex. 8:16-24), where Pharaoh’s magicians acknowledge that the plague of gnats is a result of God’s judgment. Additionally, in Exodus 31:18 and Deuteronomy 9:10, the Scriptures refer to God’s finger inscribing the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. Here, Jesus refers to God’s finger in the context of casting out demons. This indicates that Jesus’ ability to drive out demons represents both a fulfillment of the Law and a strike against evil, as the demons must obey when he commands them to leave.
Jesus shares a parable, explaining that when a strong man (representing the devil) is fully armed and guards his domain (symbolizing the world), his possessions (the sinners) are secure under his control. However, Jesus points out that when someone stronger than the strong man (referring to Himself) comes to confront him, He will disarm him and claim the treasures that belong to Him (which are you and me). Jesus declares that He has come to take back what the devil holds, and we are the valuable prize being rescued from the devil’s grasp. He has triumphed over and redeemed us, all through His miraculous power.