Daily Gospel Reflection for October 11, 2019

Reflection by Virginia Lieto Today's Gospel: Luke 11:15-26 Even in biblical times, people had a hard time discerning objective truth. We see that in today’s Gospel reading. People can see that Jesus cures their neighbors of demonic possessions, but then they begin to quarrel about the source of Jesus’ power. They cannot, or will not, see objective truth. Rather than using logic, the illogical think Jesus’ power comes from Beelzebul (Satan), as if what Jesus does is some sort of magic. Others think the power comes from God, for the action is good and only God is the giver of good things. I love how Jesus uses logic to confront the illogical, when He responds to their comments with a question. Jesus asks, “If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?” (Luke 11: 19) What Jesus is saying is that we all answer to the same power. If you are going to accuse Jesus of answering to Beelzebul, then guess what -- that means that you answer to Beelzebul as well! But contrary to the illogical accusations, we all answer to the One, True God, and from this God comes all salvific power. Jesus finishes with a compelling statement, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11: 23). In a very subtle way, by using the word “me,” Jesus declares Himself as the one, true God from whom comes all salvific power.