Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 11:15-26
Fill our souls with Spirit

In today’s Gospel, Jesus faces an accusation: his enemies claim that his power to cast out demons comes not from God, but from the prince of demons. Unable to oppose him by truth, they resort to slander. Yet Jesus responds with clarity: a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Evil does not destroy evil; rather, when demons are expelled, it is the sign that God’s reign is breaking in and—Satan—has been defeated by one stronger, Christ the Lord.

From this passage, we are taught several truths. First, slander is a weapon of the helpless. When we cannot defeat someone by honest means, we may be tempted to twist their actions or motives. How often do we assume the worst, repeat malicious words, or harm reputations with gossip? The Gospel calls us to examine ourselves honestly, for such sins corrupt and destroy both community and soul.

Second, the kingdom of God is revealed not in words alone, but in lives healed and made whole. Jesus came not only to save souls but to bring full restoration—body, mind, and spirit. Wherever love overcomes hatred, health replaces brokenness, and grace restores sinners, the kingdom is present.

Finally, Jesus warns that there is no neutrality in the spiritual life. A heart swept clean but left empty will not remain so for long. Evil returns unless goodness fills the space. To resist sin is not enough; we must fill our lives with prayer, charity, and virtue. As a garden must be planted with flowers to keep out weeds, so must our souls be filled with the Spirit to keep out darkness.

Let us, then, not stand aloof but choose Christ daily, allowing his Spirit to dwell richly within us, so that the kingdom of God may grow in us and through us.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025