Readings: Hebrews 9:15,24-28, Ps. 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30
“How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:23-24)
- A few days ago, we read that the scribes and Pharisees stormed out of the Synagogue on a Sabbath day to hold a meeting with the Herodians on how to destroy Jesus. In today’s Gospel passage, we can see that one of the agendas of that meeting was to destroy Jesus’ reputation through calumny.
- As the saying goes, “To kill a dog, give it a bad name.” They thought that spreading falsehood about Jesus could make the people rise against him. Hence, they came up with a story that doesn’t even make sense – saying that Jesus casts out demons by the power of demons.
- When Jesus heard their false accusation, He must have laughed at their reasoning. In responding to them, he said it was impossible to cast out demons by the power of demons because no kingdom divided against itself can stand. Jesus used the occasion to teach us an important lesson on unity.
- One way to recognise a house, church, or community on the verge of collapse is to study its lines of division. Wherever a people are divided among themselves, they cannot make progress. Like a broom, a person’s ability to achieve their goals depends on their ability to hold their single strands together.
- Put apart, no broomstick can achieve what the entire broom will do. The story of the Tower of Babel is an example of how division prevents progress. When the people could no longer speak or understand themselves in the same language, they abandoned the project that would have made them challenge God’s omnipotence. (Genesis 11:1-9).
- If Satan succeeds because of his internal unity, we, the body of Christ, should not allow disunity to break us apart. When we are united, it is difficult for anyone to destroy us. Jesus says, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man.” Is it the case that Jesus is referring to Satan as a strong man? Of course, by strength, Jesus is referring to unity. What makes us strong is our unity.
- A perfect example of unity is the three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three persons are so united that even the greatest of all theologians cannot fully explain how the three persons could be different and still one at the same time. Let us be united, for unity is power.
- For those who accused Jesus of being possessed, he made them understand that by so doing, they were blaspheming against the Holy Spirit and, therefore, guilty of eternal sin. In moments of distress and sadness, let us be careful of our utterances against God lest we become guilty of blasphemy.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us to love our neighbours as ourselves. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of week 3 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hebrews 9:15,24-28, Ps. 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu