Jeremiah 7:23-28 / Luke 11:14-23
The subject of exorcism has become like a subject that is shrouded in mystery and it has become one of the best kept secrets of the Catholic Church, if not the best kept.
But maybe because exorcisms and other forms of deliverances often entail some unusual happenings and noises that causes alarm and curiosity so we don't see much of these in public.
But the reality of evil oppressing human beings and even in extreme cases possessing them, still happens in the present times, and it is not an ancient mysterious phenomenon.
Today's gospel is one of the numerous passages that talks about the presence of evil oppressing human beings and at the same time Jesus doing an exorcism and also proclaiming that if it is through the finger of God that he casts out devils, then the kingdom of God is indeed upon them.
As it was then, so it is now - the kingdom of God is truly upon us.
Where are we in this kingdom depends on the criterion given by Jesus - He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.
The 1st reading expands on that criterion - Listen to my voice. Follow right to the end the way that I mark out for you, and you will prosper.
Yet as it happened in the past, so it is happening now - we did not listen, we did not pay attention, we followed the dictates of our own evil hearts, we have turned away from the Lord and even behaved worse than our ancestors.
As we journey on in this season of Lent, let us ask the Lord to deliver us from evil, cleanse the evil in our hearts, heal our sinfulness and pour forth His loving grace into our hearts.
Then together with the Lord, let us go forth and help others turn from evil and gather the repentant back to Him.