Jesus’ Challenge: Neither to Condemn Nor be Passive

By Amala William csc –

Readings: Gal 3:7-14; Lk 11:15-26

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus was disregarded for healing a mute. There were two kinds of opposition to Jesus:

1) Aspersion that he casts out demon with the help of Belzebul

2) Some pestered him for a sign from heaven.

Jesus came up with his logical answer saying, every kingdom divided against itself, and every house divided inside eventually fall. I want to point out the perspectives of the people about Jesus. Though, on several occasions Jesus revealed himself as the Son of God, people were blindfolded with their presumptions. The first kind of people who did not have any idea of Jesus accused him of sorcerous practices.

The second kind who had a mild belief wanted a sign from heaven. I am not far from these two kinds of people considering my faith in Jesus. When someone presents a good speech or writes a great article, I immediately comment, ‘where did you copy this essay from?’ If it were to be in front of my eyes, I demand that the person does it again. Mt 11:23 says, ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’ Sometimes, I tend to be a sheer spectator when injustice happens before me. Jesus challenges me neither to condemn nor be passive. Rather he calls me to be his representative at any cost.