The Cross and Christ's Authority Over Darkness

The Gospel begins with Jesus casting out a demon that had left a man mute. The crowd marvels, but some accuse Him of working by the power of Beelzebul. Jesus responds, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste,” asserting His authority and exposing the futility of darkness working against itself. He declares that this act is proof that “the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).

The Holy Cross lies at the heart of this triumph. On the Cross, Christ defeated not just demons but the ultimate powers of sin and death. The act of casting out the demon foreshadows His victory on Golgotha, where the Cross became the weapon by which He shattered the gates of Hades. As we proclaim in the hymn of the Cross, “The Cross is the weapon of peace, the invincible trophy of the faithful.”

For us today, the Cross reminds us that no power of evil can prevail against Christ. When faced with temptations or challenges, we turn to the Cross as our source of strength and protection, making the sign of the Cross as both a prayer and a declaration of faith.

Vigilance: Keeping the House of the Soul Guarded

Jesus warns in this passage that when an unclean spirit is cast out, it may return with even greater force if the “house” is left empty and unguarded. This teaching highlights the importance of vigilance in the spiritual life, especially after we have been cleansed and renewed by God’s grace.

The Holy Cross plays a vital role in this vigilance. Just as the Cross stood firm on Calvary, guarding the faithful from destruction, so we are called to spiritually “plant” the Cross in our own lives. We do this by keeping our hearts filled with Christ’s presence through prayer, fasting, and the sacraments. The Cross is not just a symbol but a shield, a constant reminder that Christ reigns within us and defends us against the attacks of the evil one.

The Church Fathers often likened the Cross to a gatepost that marks our entry into the Kingdom of Heaven and keeps us safe from harm. By embracing the Cross daily, we secure our “house” and prevent the return of spiritual emptiness.

The Cross as the Sign of the Kingdom

Jesus declares, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). The Cross is the ultimate sign of this Kingdom. Through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christ inaugurated His eternal reign, and the Cross became the throne from which He conquered the powers of evil.

In the Orthodox Church, the Cross is always intertwined with the glory of the Resurrection. This is why, when we venerate the Cross, we sing: “We venerate Your Cross, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify.” The Cross is triumphant not because it is a symbol of suffering but because it is the means by which Christ brought life to the world.

As we hear in today’s Gospel, the expulsion of demons by Christ is evidence of the Kingdom breaking into the world. Similarly, every time we turn to the Cross in faith, we participate in this Kingdom and are reminded of the victory that has already been won.

Blessed Are Those Who Bear the Cross and Keep the Word of God

Toward the end of the passage, a woman in the crowd proclaims, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!” Jesus replies, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:27-28).

To keep the word of God is to carry the Cross in our daily lives. The Cross is not just a historical event but a calling for each of us to deny ourselves, take up our own crosses, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23). This self-denial and obedience to God’s commandments lead to true blessedness.

In Orthodox tradition, we understand the Cross as both a source of joy and a challenge. As St. John Chrysostom teaches, the Cross is “the hope of Christians, the resurrection of the dead, and the healer of the sick.” By living in accordance with God’s Word, we not only venerate the Cross but embody its transformative power in our lives.

Conclusion: The Triumph of the Holy Cross

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s Gospel reveals the victory of Christ over the powers of darkness, a victory made complete on the Cross. Through His death and Resurrection, the Cross has become a sign of triumph, a source of strength, and a reminder that the Kingdom of God is among us.

Let us live as people of the Cross, guarding our hearts with vigilance, filling our lives with Christ’s presence, and carrying our crosses with faith and hope. By doing so, we proclaim the words of the hymn: “O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful and protecting us by Your Cross.”

May the Holy Cross strengthen us in our struggles, protect us from the snares of the evil one, and lead us to the eternal joy of the Kingdom of God. ​Glory to Jesus Christ!