As we journey through Lent, Holy Mother Church calls us to deeper conversion, a turning away from darkness and a renewed commitment to walk as “children of light” (Eph 5:8). The readings for this Third Sunday of Lent (Dominica III in Quadragesima) direct our hearts toward the battle between Christ and the forces of evil, urging us to imitate God and reject all that defiles the soul.
Imitators of God: The Call to Holiness
In the Epistle (Ephesians 5:1-9), St. Paul exhorts us:
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered Himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness” (Eph 5:1-2).
To follow God means to reflect His holiness, to put on the new man in Christ, and to reject the works of the flesh. The Apostle does not hesitate to denounce those sins that darken the soul—uncleanness, covetousness, and all impurity—warning that those who partake in such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph 5:5).
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, explains that the imitation of God is not merely external but must be interior:
“As children naturally imitate their fathers, so must we imitate God in love and mercy. For nothing makes a man so like God as readiness to pardon and to do good.” (Homily on Ephesians 5)
This imitation of God is not a mere moral effort but a transformation wrought by grace. It is the fruit of a soul surrendered to divine charity. St. Paul’s words remind us that holiness is not optional but the very path to our inheritance in Christ. The Lenten season, therefore, is a time to examine our hearts, renouncing all that is unworthy of a child of God.
The Power of Christ Over Satan
The Gospel (Luke 11:14-28) presents Christ as the divine warrior who casts out demons and establishes His kingdom. The scene begins with Our Lord expelling a demon from a mute man, restoring his speech. Yet, instead of rejoicing, some accuse Him of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Others demand a sign from heaven, refusing to recognize the divine authority of Christ.
Our Lord’s response is a solemn revelation of the battle between the kingdom of God and the dominion of Satan:
“Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation… But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:17, 20).
St. Cyril of Alexandria teaches that Christ’s exorcisms are proofs of His divine power:
“For He that by His own power rebukes unclean spirits, and casts Satan from those whom he has possessed, has a divinity beyond all question, and a majesty worthy of God.” (Commentary on Luke, Homily 80)
This passage is a stark reminder of spiritual warfare. The mute man, before being healed, was under the dominion of the devil, unable to praise God. So too, sin renders the soul silent, unable to lift its voice in prayer and adoration. But when Christ delivers us, He opens our lips, enabling us to proclaim His glory.
A Warning Against Spiritual Complacency
Our Lord concludes His teaching with a striking parable:
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out” (Luke 11:24).
Here, Christ warns against a superficial conversion. A soul may be freed from sin, but if it remains empty—if it does not fill itself with grace, prayer, and virtue—Satan will return with greater force. As St. Augustine warns:
“It is not enough to cast out sin; we must also introduce the love of God. Otherwise, the soul remains empty, inviting back the evil it had expelled.” (Sermon 128)
This teaching is especially relevant in Lent. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are not merely acts of renunciation but means of filling the soul with God. If we merely refrain from sin but do not actively pursue holiness, we risk falling into an even worse condition.
Blessed Are They Who Hear the Word of God
At the end of the Gospel, a woman in the crowd exclaims:
“Blessed is the womb that bore Thee and the paps that gave Thee suck” (Luke 11:27).
But Christ replies:
“Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).
St. Bede the Venerable reflects on this passage, saying:
“The Virgin Mary is indeed blessed in being the Mother of Christ, but even more blessed in keeping the word of God. For this is a blessing open to all who seek the kingdom.” (Homilies on the Gospels, II.22)
This response directs us to the true source of spiritual blessedness: obedience to God’s word. Lent is not merely about external discipline but about an interior listening to Christ, allowing His word to take root in our souls.
Conclusion: A Call to Renewal
On this Third Sunday of Lent, Holy Church reminds us that we stand in the midst of spiritual battle. We are called to reject sin, to embrace the holiness of God, and to allow Christ to reign in our hearts.
- Are we imitating God in our daily lives, walking as children of light?
- Do we acknowledge Christ’s power to free us from sin, or do we resist His grace?
- Are we filling our souls with virtue, or do we leave ourselves vulnerable to spiritual ruin?
Let us take to heart the words of St. Paul:
“Walk then as children of the light. For the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth” (Eph 5:8-9).
May this Lent be a time of true renewal, that we may cast off the works of darkness and stand firm in the kingdom of Christ.
Prayer for the Third Sunday of Lent
Lord Jesus, You are the strong man who has come to overthrow the dominion of sin. Free us from all that binds us, that we may walk in Your light. Grant us the grace to hear Your word and to keep it faithfully. By the intercession of Our Lady, may we persevere in holiness, that at the end of our Lenten pilgrimage, we may rejoice in the victory of Easter. Amen.