HOMILY FOR SATURDAY 27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -YEAR A

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY 27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -YEAR A

BY FR. KARABARI PAUL

THEME: REAL AND LASTING JOY

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

In the Gospel of today (Luke 10:17-24), when the 70 return, they return with joy, saying that even the demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus Christ. This would be an exciting and joyous time. Jesus has given these disciples authority to proclaim the kingdom message. Even demons were cast out by Christ’s authority. They are joyful not just because they can cast out demons but because of what it means.

Jesus responds to the disciples’ joy by saying that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. This is not talking about a time before the creation of the earth when Satan fell to the earth. “Falling from heaven” is a metaphor in the scriptures to describe a ruler experiencing a loss of power and rule.

Jesus is saying that He saw Satan’s power over people decisively broken. The kingdom of Christ has come, and the demons being cast out was proof that Satan’s power was broken by the power of Christ. Our world has been fascinated about demon possession for many years. However, the scriptures are clear that Satan’s power was broken in the days of Jesus. Demon possession cannot occur against one’s will today like we read about in the days of Jesus’ life. That power of Satan has been broken. Jesus uses the imagery of Satan falling like lightning from heaven to teach this to His disciples.

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Further, this great power has been delegated to the 70. Jesus tells them that He gave them authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall hurt you. This is also a metaphor used in the scriptures to describe God’s protection. In Deuteronomy 8:15 similar language is used to describe God’s protection as He led the people of Israel through the wilderness. The point Jesus is making is that when it comes to Satan, these disciples have all authority to overcome.

Then Jesus says something very interesting. There is even greater rejoicing to be had. Don’t rejoice that the unclean spirits are subject to you. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Rejoice in what God has done for you. Eternal life is to be our deepest joy in Christ. This knowledge is the lasting joy given to us that gets us through this life. Worldly joys are temporal. Physical things bring shallow, momentary happiness. Knowing that you have eternal life brings true joy. Knowing that your names are written in heaven is the greatest hope and greatest joy we can experience. If you want to truly have peace, peace is found by knowing that it does not matter what happens to you in this world. You know that you are with God and have eternal life. That brings the real joy. Every other joy is useless if we don’t have the real and lasting joy. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God bless you and your household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.

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