When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 25 But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first. 27 While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
Jesus cautioned his disciples that when people are freed from demons, they should not be complacent but be ever vigilant and pray that they may not be subjected something worse that they experienced before. A woman in the crowd praised Jesus’ mother and Jesus replied that his mother should be blessed not because she bore him but because of her response to the word of God, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Lk. 1:38).”
Almighty God, you warn those who have been cleansed by his blood of your Son not to become complacent but pray and remain vigilant. Grant that we may not complicate our lives by trying to understand things that are too sublime for us but, like Mary, simply accept your will with patience and joy. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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