Friday 27th week in ordinary time
"Lk 11:15-26"
Jesus said to the Jews: "If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Be-elzebul...But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoil. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."
Lucifer (which means 'morning star') was one of the top angels in glory, wisdom and power. But he thought he could fight against God and, obviously, he was wrong. Then he decided to fight against the children of God. Such a powerful angel against humans was a very one-sided war. He thought he was like the strong man of the parable, fully armed and with his goods undisturbed. But if the devil thought that he could overcome men, he was wrong again, because God became a man and that 'stronger Man' defeated him.
There is a tale of a few ants that were having a banquet over the skin of an elephant while the elephant was sleeping. Suddenly, the elephant got up and with a quick shake sent them off. All but one. One ant found itself hanging on to a hair under the elephant's mouth. From the ground the other ants started calling up to him, "Come on! Don't give up! It's almost yours. Smother it with your bare hands!" The devil has less chance of defeating God than that ant had of smothering the elephant...
If we are united to Christ we are safe. And precisely for that reason the enemy will always try to separate us from Him. You see? The enemy thought he could fight against us, and indeed we are no match for him, but he trembles at the Name of Jesus, he trembles at the name of Our Lady, and "he trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel", as St John Bosco taught. Do you see the whole picture? A good Christian is shielded behind Jesus, Our Lady, St Joseph (who is called "Terror of the demons"), St Michael the Archangel, your Guardian Angel... It is certainly a one-sided battle: the enemy has no chance. Mary, Queen of Angels, let me be always shielded by you.
