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“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather
with me scatters.” Luke 11:23
These words are embedded within several powerful teachings of
Jesus, but, in many ways, this single sentence can stand alone as
an important Christian truth. Specifically, it tells us that we
cannot be neutral in our position regarding Jesus and all that He
has taught us. This is an important message in the world
today.
Today, there seems to be a growing secular value that we might call
“neutrality.” We are told by many in the world that we must accept
any morality, any lifestyle, any choice that others make. And
though it is true that we must always love and accept every person
and treat them with the utmost dignity and respect, it is not true
that we should be neutral to the choices and secular values that
some choose to live and express. Sadly, when we do speak the full
truth, especially the many moral truths our Lord has revealed, we
are often labeled as judgmental. But this is not the truth.
This quote above from today’s Gospel makes it clear that we cannot
remain indifferent to the teachings of our Lord and still remain in
His good graces. In fact, Jesus makes it clear that the opposite is
true. He says that if we are not with Him, meaning, if we do not
accept all that He has revealed, then we are, in fact, against Him.
Being neutral on matters of faith and morality is not actually
being neutral at all. It’s a choice that some make that has the
clear effect of separating them from Jesus.
For example, regarding matters of faith, if someone were to say, “I
do not believe in the Eucharist,” then they are, in fact, rejecting
God. And though it is not our duty to be their judge, it is our
duty to acknowledge that they have expressed a belief contrary to
the truth. They are in error, and if they persist in this error,
then they do separate themselves from God. That’s what Jesus is
saying.
The same is true regarding morality. There are many examples in the
moral life that are becoming more and more blatant in their
opposition to our Lord’s teaching. Thus, we must remind ourselves
that when we reject a moral teaching given to us by our Lord, we
reject Jesus Himself.
Jesus goes even further when He says that “whoever does not gather
with me scatters.” In other words, it’s not enough to simply
personally believe all that Jesus taught, we must also teach it to
others. If we do not and if we, instead, offer a false form of
“acceptance” of another’s error, then we are actually working
against Jesus. We all have a moral duty to actively promote the
truths of the Gospel given to us by our Lord.
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.
My glorious King, You desire to build up Your Kingdom in my life
and, through me, in the lives of others. Give me the grace and
courage I need to fully accept all that You have taught me and to
actively become an instrument of Your grace and truth in the world.
May I be with You in all things, dear Lord, and gather many into
Your loving arms of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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