ACC ~ Luke 11 v17 - 20

JESUS’ COMMONSENSE RESPONSE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He proceeds to arguments drawn from common things but which have the force of truth in them. …

Kingdoms are established by the fidelity of subjects and the obedience of those under the royal scepter. Houses are established when those who belong to them in no way whatsoever thwart one another but, on the contrary, agree in will and deed. I suppose it would establish the kingdom too of Beelzebub, had he determined to abstain from everything contrary to himself. How then does Satan cast out Satan? It follows then that devils do not depart from people on their own accord but retire unwillingly. “Satan,” he says, “does not fight with himself.” He does not rebuke his own servants. He does not permit himself to injure his own armorbearers. On the contrary, he helps his kingdom. “It remains for you to understand that I crush Satan by divine power.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 80. [1]

[1] CGSL 328-29**.

THE FINGER OF GOD IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: By the finger of God, he means the Holy Spirit. The Son is called the hand and arm of God the Father because he does all things by the Son, and the Son in a similar way works by the Spirit. Just as the finger is attached to the hand as something not foreign from it but belonging to it by nature, so also the Holy Spirit, by reason of his being equal in substance, is joined in oneness to the Son, although he proceeds from God the Father. The Son does every thing by the consubstantial Spirit. Here he purposely says that by the finger of God he casts out devils, speaking as a man. The Jews in the infirmity and folly of their mind would not have endured it if he said, “by my own Spirit I cast out devils.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 81. [1]

[1] CGSL 331**.

IN JESUS, WE SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Although he is by nature God and the Giver of the Spirit from God the Father to those who are worthy and employs as his own that power which is from him, he spoke as a man. He is consubstantial with him, and whatever is said to be done by God the Father, this necessarily is by the Son in the Spirit. He says, “If I, being a man, and having become like you, cast out devils in the Spirit of God, human nature has in me first attained to a godlike kingdom.” For it has become glorious by breaking the power of Satan and rebuking the impure and abominable spirits. This is the meaning of the words “the kingdom of God has come upon you.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 81. [1]

[1] CGSL 331**.