Believe in kindness

“It is by the prince of demons that he casts out demons.” One fact: he does indeed cast out demons. One interpretation: he does this through the prince of demons. This is a constant in the Gospel: the reality of the miracles is never questioned. Not even the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus is never called a charlatan or a trickster. It is always the interpretation that poses a problem. By what power does Jesus act? This question of interpretation raises two others: how is it that we are so quick to interpret the actions of others negatively? How is it that benevolence is so far removed from the heart of sinful humanity? But the second is linked to the first: how is it that the scribes have so much difficulty simply grasping that if humanity is freed from sin, it is because God is at work? The absence of kindness in our hearts risks preventing us from believing in God's kindness and His benevolent action toward humanity. This lack of goodness turns against us. Satan is the accuser. If we lack kindness, we will have no more for ourselves than for others. Then, we will become our own accuser and, to use Jesus' expression, "will not be able to stand." Only the One who is truly kind can reveal within us what is under the sway of the devil, and only He can deliver us from it. What meaning do I give to the last petition of the Lord's Prayer: "Deliver us from evil"? How do I constantly invoke the Holy Spirit in spiritual warfare?

Emmanuel Schwab, rector of the Lisieux sanctuary

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