A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on March 12 at Kintore College, Toronto.

Today’s Gospel from Luke 11:14-23, tells us that Jesus was casting out a demon that was dumb; when the demon had gone out, the dumb man spoke and the people marvelled.

Those who opposed him said that he had done this through the power of Belzebul, through the devil. But Jesus easily responds that this would be the devil working against himself, divided against his own interests. Jesus heals because it is a sign of his power; he is able to heal in a way that no human power could. But he heals out of compassion, like when he healed the man born blind.

The sacraments are channels of his mercy, of his healing: like annointing, like confession, like the nourishing power of the eucharist.

Music: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Thumbnail: Stainedglass, Meung sur Loire 19th century.