Person of God!

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Jer 7: 23-28; Lk 11: 14-23

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus becoming the target of calumny for his goodness and mercy.

The text describes Jesus driving out a demon from a man who was mute. Apparently, such a good act should have been recognized and praised. They should have been thankful to Jesus and to God, whom Jesus revealed in and through such miracles. Unfortunately, that is not what Jesus is gifted with. Instead, they accuse him on two counts. 

One group of people dared to accuse him of having a partnership with Beelzebul to perform such miracles. Another demanded a sign as proof of Jesus’ divine identity. The former attributed selfishness (to become popular!) to Jesus’ goodness. The latter sought proof of his goodness. In essence, both meant the same: they refused to accept who Jesus was.

Jesus invokes the example of exorcism by their own people who were never accused of working with Beelzebul. However, any good defense falls flat in the absence of genuine openness because their problem was not the miracle but Jesus, who performed it. The danger of hypocrisy and jealousy is that it misrepresents mercy as manipulation.

Here we should look up to Jesus to study his response to false accusations. What must we do when we do good and still be accused of evil intentions? Without stopping to be and do good, Jesus continues his mission of teaching, healing, and loving. For Jesus, the Kingdom of God is defined by its never-ending goodness and ceaseless love. 

Jesus teaches a bold lesson for those who follow him: even when misunderstood, goodness remains or should remain intact. That is the identity of the person of God.

Let us pray for the courage to continue our goodness in God’s name. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar