Am I with him or against him? Gospel LK 11:14-23 Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? “For you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Am I with him or against him? Gospel LK 11:14-23 I sometimes worry that Jesus might accuse me of not being with him. I can imagine myself being one of those in the crowd who asks Jesus for a sign from heaven, proof that he knows what is best for me in my life. Especially as a college senior, I want confirmation that I am following the right path. I search for tangible signals that affirm my decisions. Sometimes I stand divided against myself because I cannot physically see God’s presence in my life, and doubt alienates me from the faith I want to trust in. But in waiting for concrete proof, I miss the miracles that God does perform in my life. I miss seeing the value of the friends whom God has given me for guidance and support. I miss experiencing the beauty of the Sacraments that display the presence and majesty of God in my life. I miss developing my own holiness and potential to be united with God. This Lenten season is an opportunity for me to stand with Jesus and trust that he is acting in my life, whether I see the miracle or not. Gods presence is constant and true, even if my own preoccupations blind me from seeing God’s work in my life. Taking the time to pray, fast, and give alms helps me to begin to see the everyday miracles of God, who is stronger than I could ever be, and is the ultimate safeguard of all my worries, blessings, and all that I hold precious. We will stand with Christ when we live with the same faith with which he lived—even if that means blindly trusting God.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:19:17 +0000