While the title of this particular reflection may sound like a political call to arms, it is more fundamental than that. A number of years ago I was serving in a parish located in a well known University city of this State. While the city offered a long tradition of learning it is also noted for its unique bent of liberal expression. (Now that sounds even more like a political statement.)
At any rate, one year in an annual city parade to welcome back the University students from their summer break and to mark the city's spirit of tolerance and diversity, the City Council had apparently been approached by a proclaimed group of anarchists who allegedly agreed to the Council's request that they behave themselves and not cause a disturbance but respect the rights of others to march peacefully. So, the City agreed to allow a group of anarchists, peaceful ones at that (yeah right!), to march.
But, to the surprise of a few and the confirmation of most, the anarchists did not make good on their "promise" to the city. As they began their march through the downtown, they scattered through the crowds and disrupted the entire parade. They scurried to parked vehicles along the way, smashed windows and attempted to set fires. Well, surprise, surprise! They're anarchists and this is what they do! The Council members actually believed they would behave themselves and march peacefully like the ladies quilting club.
In today's reading from the Gospel of Luke (11: 14-23) Jesus faces the skeptical crowds who wonder by what power he drives out demons - "By the power of Beelzebul?" That is, Satan? The poor old devil is stuck with another ugly name - "Beelzebul the prince of demons."
Jesus is quick to remind his company that even Satan's house would fall if he and his legions were not united in their effort to establish his kingdom of disorder. Like the anarchists above, they sow seeds of chaos but do so as a united army - "One for all and all for one!"
"But," Jesus responds, "if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you." I find it interesting that Jesus refers to God who needs only a "finger" to accomplish the good he does while he states that Satan needs a formidable united front. Who's more powerful here? The point he makes is that God is among you and this is the time for repentance. If you miss this chance you'll be left to your own fate.
The first reading from Jeremiah (7: 23-28) confirms this. God has sent prophet after prophet among his people who respond not with a willing heart but with stubborness and "stiffened necks." Pretty harsh judgement if you ask me and it would certainly wake me up if I heard someone imply my heart was like granite. This lesson is clear and spelled out in our Responsorial Psalm: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." But where and how do we hear the voice of God?
God speaks to us loud and clear in many ordinary ways. In the Scriptures, in our prayer, in the sacraments, in this blog (you be the judge of that one), in the daily events of our lives, in the comments of other people, in our emotions and thoughts. Did you ever feel a call to prayer but resist and begin a litany of excuses: "I prayed this morning; It's too late and I need my beauty sleep; I'll just make a big sign of the cross and call it a night; I'm just too busy right now - let me finish this task and then I'll get to it this afternoon."
When I find myself in that situation and I rebel against what I know instinctively is best for me, it's time to stop the uprising, the anarchy against God and get down to softening that harden heart. This Lent offers the opportunity to hear the voice of God calling us into right relationship with him. Jesus reminds us today, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
However, don't be discouraged. Scripture reminds us in many ways that God is pleased with our efforts and our good intentions. If he isn't, then only the likes of St. Francis have a chance of making it. I think the least we can do is sincerely try and the most we can do is just try harder.
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