RBWords

     On one level, today's gospel is a debate with Jesus' opponents about his true power.  His adversaries claim that his power is demonic!  Jesus says that doesn't make sense because he is casting OUT demons, not helping them!  On another level this scripture is about those who have become Christians but may be still experiencing a divided heart or who think that now that they have converted, they don't have to be vigilant!  They must choose between the old demons and the new Christ.  There can be no fence-straddling!  Otherwise there is a "divided house!"  Abraham Lincoln made use of this image in his famous speech about slavery!  Perhaps we should send the same image to our congressional leaders at the present time!

 

     The heart can become easily divided if we lose our sense of perspective and think that we can have all we want and have Jesus too!  What is "demonic" is not necessarily spectacular, as in the movie THE EXORCIST.  We can become captured by all our "stuff" or our appetites very gradually until we fail to notice that all of these have pushed Jesus right out!  These are the seven demons that rush in!  An "intentional" faith is one that makes sure that priorities are strong and the relationship to God and neighbor is one of love!  AMEN