A House Divided

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people 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 prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons 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 upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Matthew 12:22-30

Sometimes I teased my girls calling them oppositional eaters - whatever one of the sisters wanted for dinner, another would abhor the idea. At some point, dinner had t get made and I would often make what no one wanted just so there would be peace. And the arguments over the meals out could be just as strident. Diners ended up being our best way to solve the issue, that is, finding a place where elegance and climate was set aside for variety and endless choices.

Today, the religious opposition is in Jesus' face claiming that his power comes from the devil, not from God. Sensibly, Jesus answers their ridiculous accusations with real wisdom. A house divided cannot stand. God's whole driving force is love and healing, restoration and rescue. If violence, hate and greed aren't on the menu, then it must be God's place. Despite our human divisions, both personality and political, we can still come together at the table which is spread for us. The divine mystery of the one great table, where we all belong despite ourselves, is our gift as the family of God.

Today I ask God to give me the eyes to see others as my family, no matter how different we might be. May we come to the table that is spread for us, knowing that God is in our midst. Where there is healing and hope may we know it as a gift from God and share it where ever we go today.