Yet some of them said, “He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the
demons.” Others wanted to put him to the test, by asking him for a heavenly sign. But Jesus
knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin,
and will fall. If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that
I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul? If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do
your sons drive out demons? They will be your judges, then. But if I drive out demons by the
finger of God; would not this mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you? As long as
a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe. But when a stronger
man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on,
and disposes of his spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does
not gather with me, scatters.
Reflect
“True unity.” The salvation which Jesus offers unites people together. It needs to be qualified,
however, that this kind of unity is a unity of people of goodwill. Ill-willed people may apparently
unite themselves for a time just to put forward each of their selfish agenda. Such is not a true
unity. Such is merely an alliance for selfsecuring interests. This alliance does not last.
True unity lasts because it is built on goodwill. In today’s Gospel, Jesus was accused of being
governed by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of demons. Out of goodwill, he did something
good by driving out the demon that made a person mute and yet some ill-willed people were
accusing him falsely that he did it through the power of Beelzebul. In the end, it is our intention
and motivation whenever we work together which will separate unity from mere alliance.
On the one hand, if our motivation cares for the wellbeing of everyone, then we are fostering
true unity. On the other hand, if the things we do together is fueled by each of our own selfish
intentions, then it is not the kind of unity which Jesus offers. It does not save. It destroys.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024
