In the gospel passage today Jesus makes a very interesting statement: "whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
In essence this means that because Jesus is truly the Messiah; because God has become man; because an enormously wonderful plan of redemption is now underway – it is impossible for anyone to be on the sidelines. Everyone is called to make a critical, vital and eternally decisive choice! Am I with Jesus, or against him? Am I gathering all of God family together with Jesus – or am I scattering them and driving them away from him? Am I a friend of God, or an enemy?
Jesus tells us: pick, choose, decide! Even if you think you are neutral or just standing still in your stubbornness, you are then backsliding – and counting yourselves on the opposing team. You must pick, choose, decide!
In the first reading today Jeremiah reminds the people that they were quick to first listen to God (as he commanded them to do), and to obey all of his commandments; but then, they stopped in the hardness of their hearts, and by doing so either consciously or unconsciously marched sure-footedly away from God and his protection, care and love.
We, if we look at the history of our lives, can see how we have, in many great and small ways, stopped listening, and either consciously or unconsciously marched away from God – or simply let ourselves be washed away in the current of the evil spirits who roam the world seeking the ruin of souls?
And so, today, if we hear the voice of the Lord, let us not harden our hearts. Let us LISTEN to all he has to say to us, and put it into practice by loving others the best we possibly can. It takes constant effort! It takes diligence and patience! But it is a project that will merit us eternal life in the Kingdom! And so it is well worth the effort!
Let us "be with Jesus" this day!
Let us "gather with him" – and be responsible citizens of earth who ask to be made citizens of heaven!
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