Lent III - Luke 11:24-26

 The Gospel for this Sunday refers to several themes related to Christ’s ministry and the kingdom of God. In the midst of all these themes, there are three verses about spiritual housekeeping that have sometimes been applied to Lent. These verses are Luke 11:24-26. “ When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.  And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

These verses are a brief parable about moral and spiritual cleansing and healing. In a way, the verses encourage moral and spiritual housekeeping, but they are also a warning about how people pursue such housekeeping. The ways a person cleans up his/her life and what one does afterward can be as important as the cleansing itself.

In this world, many human beings admit that they need to change. Many people know that there are bad or destructive forces and tendencies in their lives. They sense that bad habits, poor attitudes, mistaken loyalties, and various mental and spiritual weaknesses need to be cast out. For many, the approach of  Easter is a reminder to do some spiritual housekeeping. They may stress better moral and spiritual habits. Some may give up certain things. Some Christians emphasize penitential attitudes and a variety of devotions. Such external disciplines can be useful. However, Christians also need to move beyond mere external disciplines- even beyond good disciplines involving certain degrees of self-denial. 

Our spiritual houses must not be left empty. They need to be filled with goodness. As numerous Scriptures remind us, our Lord should abide or dwell within us. In other words, a Christian life must include positive aspects as well as negative ones. We are called to do more than just cleanse our hearts, minds, and souls of evil. We are asked to allow God to dwell or reside within us, and the real purpose of all spiritual housekeeping is to make room for Him. It is to become more open to divine grace and love.

This point is always true. Of course, we could all use more self-discipline and more sincere self-denial, but those things are not sufficient. By God’s grace in Christ, our hearts, minds, and souls can be filled with good things such as faith, hope, and love. Our great need is for God to dwell within us and transform us for worship and service.