Jesus did a good work, curing a man who was mute. Yet some of those around him did not recognise his goodness.

Jesus, the Son of God, who willingly gave his life that we might have life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

 Jeremiah 7:23-28

 One thing I did command them:

Listen to my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in the way I command you and all will be well with you.  But they did not listen and paid no attention; they followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away from me.

 From the time I brought their fore­bearers out of Egypt until this day I have continually sent them my servants, the prophets,   but this stiff-necked people did not listen. They paid no atten­tion and were worse than their forebearers.

 You may say all these things to them but they will not listen; you will call them but they will not answer.   This is a nation that did not obey Yahweh and refused to be disciplined; truth has perished and is no longer heard from their lips.

 

Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 

Luke 11:14-23

One day, Jesus was driving out a demon, which was mute. When the demon had been driven out, the mute person could speak, and the people were amazed. 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.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Finger of God

"Finger" is a polysemous symbol. It can be a symbol of accusation, as when someone points a finger at me. When placed over the lips, it can silence me against my will. It can give me orders that may or may not be pleasing to me.

A finger can also mean someone pointing to me in delight, reaching out to me to hug and carry me in their arms or on their shoulders. It can show me the way forward. A little child can hold on to the finger of her mom or dad and walk securely.

A finger can wipe away the tears from my eyes. When Jesus referred to the "finger of God" it could only mean one thing: the maternal-paternal finger of God that seeks to touch, heal, redeem, protect; the finger that truly wipes away every tear from our eyes (cf. Rev. 21.4). Our call is to be this finger of God.