“There are forces all around you who wish to exploit division, rob you of your freedom, and tell you what to think………… If you think that a wall as solid as the earth separates civilization from barbarism you are sadly mistaken. I tell you the division is a thread, a sheet of glass. A touch here, a push there, and you bring back a reign of terror the likes history as seen time and time again….. Two things are needed to raise awareness: education and love. And these go hand in hand because we can be taught to love even when we disagree…… In addition, everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts……Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough….Remembering freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."

Gospel Text: (Lk 11:15-26)

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“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.’
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
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 man is worse than the first.”

 

Reflect, today, upon how fully you are “with” our Lord and “gather” with Him. Do you fully accept all that He has taught and also seek to gather many others for the Kingdom of God? If you do not see yourself actively believing in and participating in the mission of our Lord, then heed these words of Jesus and allow them to gently but firmly challenge you, so that you will more fully work to build up God’s Kingdom in your own heart and in the world all around you.