Friday of week 27 in Ordinary Time 


Galatians 3:7-14 

Psalm 110(111):1-6

Luke 11:15-26


The finger of God inflames our hearts


Throughout much of His public ministry, Our Lord seems to have chosen not to draw attention to His true identity. At times, He asks others to remain silent; at other times, when questioned about who He is, He responds enigmatically or answers in a way that prompts further amazement. The event described in today's Gospel passage was undoubtedly a manifestation of God’s saving work. It appears to have unsettled the Pharisees, who, rather than give glory to God for the wonder of a devil being cast out, accused Jesus of acting through Satan, Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This reminds us that if the world questions the power of Jesus, it may also question the power of the Church and of every Christian. 


Our words and actions can affect others and leave a lasting mark. At times, we may make things difficult for others or cause them distress through ridicule or rejection, weakening their sense of protection. Our Christian faith is founded on a loving relationship with God, and our actions toward others flow from that love. It also inspires us to approach others without judgment. Happiness comes from God and, through this love, flows from us to others. Jesus teaches that His power rests in the finger of God—that is, in the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.


Addressing the faithful at the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, 27 January 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said:

“God reigns in the world through his Son made man and with the power of the Holy Spirit who is called "the finger of God" (Lk 11: 20). Wherever Jesus goes the Creator Spirit brings life, and men and women are healed of diseases of body and spirit. God's lordship is thus manifest in the human being's integral healing. By this, Jesus wanted to reveal the Face of the true God, the God who is close, full of mercy for every human being; the God who makes us a gift of life in abundance, his own life.”


We are called to believe that the Spir

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