But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils. – Luke 11: 20 – 22

Reflection

When I ponder on the phrase “the finger of God”, in my mind’s eye, I see a finger shining in radiant glory, that is able to perform wonders.

One of the better known images that also comes to my mind is the finger of God as portrayed by Michelangelo in The Creation of Adam.

This beautiful masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel which is one of several, depicting the stories from the Book of Genesis, shows the finger of God, giving life to the first man.

Today, Jesus calls us to an amazing reflection of what the finger of God can do.

The finger of God, breaks the bonds of demonic bondage, as we read in today’s Gospel from Thursday of the Third Week of Lent.

The same finger of God, destroys the power of death.

This is what Christ referred to, when He explained that when One stronger than the strong man attacks and overcomes him, He “takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.”

Indeed, Jesus did just this to the devil at the hour of His death.

Scripture tells us (see Ephesians 4: 8 – 10) that Christ, took captivity captive, and when He ascended into Heaven, after His descent from the lower parts of earth, He distributed gifts to men.

Christ Jesus is the One Who attacked the devil’s territory and overcame.

He released the souls of His faithful ones from the bondage and punishment of sin and death (which was the armor that the enemy relied on).

Having overcome death by the Power of His Resurrection, He opened up the gates of Heaven, and took with Him, the souls of those who once were captive.

And He distributed the gifts of His Father’s Heavenly Kingdom to them.

Now, He has given us this same victory and glory.

Ours is the victory over sin and death, by the Blood of Jesus, which He shed on the Cross.

We have been given the free gifts of the Holy Spirit, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost…and in our days!

And we are now restored to our inheritance in the Kingdom of God, through the reign of Christ Jesus, with Whom we are co-heirs.

Only the Finger of God can do this!

So today as we reflect on the finger of God, let us look into our lives for all the ways in which God shows His power in us, to us and through us.

And let us rejoice and be glad and give great thanks for His awesome love and power, and gifts.

Prayer

Merciful Lord and Saviour, as we ponder on the saving mystery of Your passion and death, and still more on the Power of Your Resurrection, we are amazed at Your Love.

Now we truly understand even more what You meant when You said,

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life” – John 3: 16

The same mighty love and finger of God gave life to Adam, and us all.

But when Adam and the whole human race fell through sin, You decided to still show the magnitude of Your Love.

And You Christ, obeyed the Father and came into this world to save us.

Yours was our shame, even though You had no shame.

Yours was our death, even though death had no power over You.

And now ours is Your victory and Your power and Your splendour.

Lord, we are grateful for Your love.

We are grateful for Your Power and Might.

And we are grateful for the Kingdom of Your Father, that You have given to us.

Our words cannot express our gratitude, but search our hearts and be glorified in our love for You.

Amen.

 

Always & Forever,

To The Lamb.

With all my love.

08-March-2018