Galatians 3:7-14
Psalm 110(111):1-6
Luke 11:15-26
The finger of God inflames our hearts
Throughout much of His public ministry, Our Lord seems to have chosen not to draw attention to His true identity. At times, He asks others to remain silent; at other times, when questioned about who He is, He responds enigmatically or answers in a way that prompts further amazement. The event described in today’s Gospel passage was undoubtedly a manifestation of God’s saving work. It appears to have unsettled the Pharisees, who, rather than give glory to God for the wonder of a devil being cast out, accused Jesus of acting through Satan, Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This reminds us that if the world questions the power of Jesus, it may also question the power of the Church and of every Christian.
Our words and actions can affect others and leave a lasting mark. At times, we may make things difficult for others or cause them distress through ridicule or rejection, weakening their sense of protection. Our Christian faith is founded on a loving relationship with God, and our actions toward others flow from that love. It also inspires us to approach others without judgment. Happiness comes from God and, through this love, flows from us to others. Jesus teaches that His power rests in the finger of God—that is, in the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Addressing the faithful at the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, 27 January 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said:
“God reigns in the world through his Son made man and with the power of the Holy Spirit who is called “the finger of God” (Lk 11: 20). Wherever Jesus goes the Creator Spirit brings life, and men and women are healed of diseases of body and spirit. God’s lordship is thus manifest in the human being’s integral healing. By this, Jesus wanted to reveal the Face of the true God, the God who is close, full of mercy for every human being; the God who makes us a gift of life in abundance, his own life.”
We are called to believe that the Spirit who rested upon Moses can also rest upon those who were not present at the assembly—Eldad and Medad—and that they, too, prophesied (Numbers 11:24–30). The Holy Spirit can work through anyone who has faith in Jesus.
According to St. Augustine, ‘Faith is to believe in the Word of God what we do not see, and its reward is to see and enjoy what we believe.”
The Holy Spirit is the author of Sacred Scripture and reveals more about Christ to us. God’s power triumphs over sickness, evil, and death. The reminder that one accusing finger points outward while three point back toward oneself invites us to reflect before judging others. Jesus alone is the Divine Legislator, and God is the Eternal Judge.
May you be spared unjust accusation or condemnation. Let us pray for the world Christ died to save. Amen.
Prayer against evil
Spirit of our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Most Holy Trinity, descend upon me. Please purify me, mold me, fill me with yourself, and use me. Banish all the forces of evil from me; destroy them, vanquish them so that I can be healthy and do good deeds.
Banish from me all curses, hexes, spells, witchcraft, black magic, demonic assignments, malefice and the evil eye; diabolic infestations, oppressions, possessions; all that is evil and sinful; jealousy, treachery, envy; all physical, psychological, moral, spiritual and diabolical ailments; as well as all enticing spirits, deaf, dumb, blind, mute and sleeping spirits, new-age spirits, occult spirits, religious spirits, antichrist spirits, and any other spirits of death and darkness.
I command and bid all the powers who molest me—by the power of God Almighty, in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior—to leave me forever, and to be consigned into the everlasting lake of fire, that they may never again touch me or any other creature in the entire world. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
