Luke 11:15-26
After some people accused him of driving out demons by the power of Be-el'zebul, Jesus takes the opportunity to teach people about the supreme value of unity. First, the Lord says, “If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Then, he adds, “Whoever is not with me is against me; and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Both the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan need unity to prevail over the other.
The battle between the power of light and the power of darkness would be decided by how united their forces are. Satan would not prevail over God because the Trinity (Father, Son and Spirit) are closely bonded in love. But Satan's army could win many of us in the world because we are divided and disintegrated in many ways. That is why Jesus in the gospel admonishes us to remain united with him; otherwise, we scatter. Saint John Chrysostom was right when he said: “What wall or fort, strongly built with well-compacted and large stones, is so impregnable against the assaults of an enemy, as the united band of people joined by mutual love and sealed by oneness of mind.”
Today's gospel challenges us to learn the virtue of Christian solidarity. Like the first community of believers, let us walk together with one heart and one soul (Acts 4:32), loving and serving one another in the name of Christ.
