Daily Catholic Lectio. Thu, 27 March ’25. Whoever is not with me!

Daily Catholic Lectio

Thu, 27 March ‘25

Third Week of Lent – Thursday

Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23

Whoever is not with me

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus casts out a demon from a man who was mute. This powerful act of Jesus provokes three different reactions:

One group marvels at what Jesus has done. Another group accuses him of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, implicitly suggesting that Jesus is either possessed or in league with evil forces. Yet another group, with a testing attitude, demands a sign from him. Jesus directly responds to the second group.

He explains that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Just as a demon would not cast out another demon, he argues that his act cannot be from the devil. Furthermore, he says, if something strong is overcome by something even stronger, the former is defeated and driven out.

His concluding words are: “Whoever is not with me is against me.”

What does this statement mean for us?

Half-hearted belief is dangerous. Either we are entirely with Jesus or entirely against him.

In today’s first reading (cf. Jeremiah 7:23–28), the Lord rebukes the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. Because of their hardened hearts, they refuse to accept the prophets and God himself. Instead of moving forward, they regress due to their stubbornness.

Ultimately, God declares: “Truth has vanished.”

For reflection:

When Jesus intervenes in my life with a powerful act, how do I respond? Do I marvel at him? Or do I murmur with doubt? Or do I test him by demanding signs?

What are the factors in my life that revolt against me? More dangerous than falling in front of another’s eyes is falling before my own. How is the harmony between me and myself?

What are the moments in my life when, instead of progressing forward, I find myself going backwards?

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy