For or Against?

When confronted by the accusation that it was by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that he cast out demons, Jesus retorted that "Whoever is is not with me, is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Lk 11:23).  "A house divided cannot stand", is another way of putting it.  Satan does not work against himself; Jesus, in driving out demons cannot be doing so by the powers of evil; rather by the power of God.
Centuries earlier, Jeremiah lamented the condition of his times (much like our own), "They have stiffened their necks worse than their fathers.  When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either; when you call to them, they will not answer you." (Jer 7: 26).  They are "the nation that does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech," (Jer7: 28).  Jesus had his challenges, as we do.  He called for a union of hearts and purpose with him. That call remains as true and challenging then as it is today.  May our Lenten prayers, penances and almsgiving help us declare that we are definitely in the camp of Jesus.
Bro. Rene