The Finger of God!

Friday, October 11, 2024

Gal 3:7-14; Lk 11:15-26

Today’s Gospel highlights exorcism as an impeccable sign of the coming of God’s Kingdom.

It is clear in the text that Jesus’ opponents have no problem with his ministry of exorcism but the source of his power. 

While they attribute Jesus’ power of exorcism to Beelzebul, Jesus takes the opportunity to establish the truth that it is by the ‘finger of God’ that he drives out demons. 

Through the expression ‘finger of God,’ Jesus means two things. 

At first, the Old Testament God who brought His people out of the land of Egypt is present in Jesus. As such, what God has done in the past to rescue God’s people from the oppression of slavery is being continued by Jesus. 

Secondly, Jesus is the Kingdom of God in person. Hence, in physical healing and exorcism, the Kingdom takes a bodily form. This is why Jesus claims that, ‘If it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.’ 

The healing mission of Jesus showed God the Healer. 

This is also the reason why the healing mission became the mainstay of Jesus’ Kingdom proclamation. 

The universal medical mission of the Church offers proof that she gives utmost priority to faithfully continue Jesus’ healing mission. 

But we always believe that we treat the patients and Jesus heals them. 

Let us pray that we may participate in Jesus’ healing mission by advancing health and wellness for the poor and the marginalized. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar