GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:

“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,

he drives out demons.”

Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.

But he knew their thoughts and said to them,

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste

and house will fall against house.

And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?

For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.

If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,

by whom do your own people drive them out?

Therefore they will be your judges.

But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,

then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,

his possessions are safe.

But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,

he takes away the armour on which he relied

and distributes the spoils.

Whoever is not with me is against me,

and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,

it roams through arid regions searching for rest

but, finding none, it says,

‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’

But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.

Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits

more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,

and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

The word of the Lord

 

Are We Safe?

We might think that, by being closer to the Lord and having cleansed and ordered our soul, we are already saved. But in this Gospel, the Lord warns us of the danger that lurks—we must remain vigilant, live in a state of grace, frequent the sacraments, and be steadfast in daily prayer. For the devil, it is a great victory to make those closest to the Lord fall.

Applied to Married Life

Peter: Alicia, I’m feeling a bit disheartened. This morning, while getting the kids ready for school, I fell back into the same old habits from before our conversion—anger, shouting… I even threw Jaimy’s backpack to make him hurry up. I feel like everything I’m doing is pointless. What’s the use of praying and going to Mass if I slip up the moment I lose focus?

Alicia: Peter, that was this morning. When did you realise you were doing something wrong?

Peter: Right away. I picked up the backpack, handed it to Jaimy, and asked him to forgive me.

Alicia: And you think prayer and the sacraments aren’t working? Before, your bad mood would’ve lasted all day, and you’d have believed you were completely in the right. I think the devil is tempting you to fall into despair and stop trusting in God.

Peter: You’re absolutely right! And how quickly I fell… Thank goodness I shared this temptation with you—it’s helped me stop the spiral and renew my commitment to keep walking this path.

Alicia: As Father Jhon told us: “Temptation revealed is temptation defeated.” It’s so important to share what we’re going through—we truly are each other’s Suitable Help. And what a beautiful example you gave Javier by asking for forgiveness. The Lord is so good. Now let’s begin our couple’s prayer: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…”

Mother,

Protect us beneath your Mantle from the snares of the evil one. Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Praised be the Lord!