Cast Satan Out

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 11:15-26), Jesus is casting out demons. Some Jews thought that Jesus was linked to Satan since he was able to cast out the demons. They questioned where he got his authority and power. But why do these Jews continue to resent Jesus and deny his miracles? They simply cannot believe that a man could do such a feat. They fail to see the power of God and fail to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus tells them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” If Satan is wiping out his own, wouldn’t his legions eventually fail? However, the doubters would rather attribute the power to Satan then admit the Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus tells them just the opposite, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Jesus is telling them that his ability to dispel demons is proof that the Kingdom of God has arrived. That he has come to defeat Satan and his armies by the “finger of God.”

Why does Jesus talk about a House divided? If the house is divided it is weakened by arguing and fighting between its own. This message is still true today. Christians are divided into many different religions which are focused on the differences between their beliefs instead of focusing on the similarities. Pope John Paul the Great told us to forget about the differences and focus on the commonalities between the religions. We do not see our fellow Christians as believers in Christ, but as disbelievers. Just think if we all joined forces together how big an impact that would have on the world. The divided house among Christians is the work of Satan. The more Satan can cause us to argue, the more divided we become. The more divided we become, the weaker we become.

But Jesus gives us hope. In the second half of Gospel Jesus says, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.” The Strong Man is Satan who works hard to occupy our hearts and our homes. Jesus is stronger than Satan and can overcome him. If we let God into our hearts, God will conquer Satan and cast out his spoils. But just because Satan has been cast out, he does not give up. ” When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest; and finding none he says, `I will return to my house from which I came’.” Satan will return, over and over again continually trying to conquer our souls. Jesus warns us that “when he comes he finds it swept and put in order then he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”

A Simple Prayer “Lord Master of All, Cast Satan out of my heart. Help me conquer him and defeat him. Help me build a strong home to defend myself from him. When the seven return, give me strength to stand with you."

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon