Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:22-32
We are in a time when we all know what it is to live in a divided land, among people divided. Jesus understood how the religious leaders were mocking him and trying to undermine his ministry. And his main ministry was to love and to heal. He knew that when we are divided we eventually implode. We fall apart and blame other people, although we took sides and cheered on bad behavior. We are called to serve by loving and bringing healing and justice to those on both sides of all divisions. We are called to serve like Jesus.
Loving Creator, you are the source of healing
you bring love and mercy to us in every breath
and call us to care for the lost and the outcast.
We have taken sides and built up strong walls
hoping to be deemed righteous in the end
when the world is crumbling for lack of love.
Help us, Lord, to be strong, loving warriors
undoing the traps and breaking own walls
so the world might know your love for all. Amen.
