A Juxtaposition of Refusing but Pretending to Follow God and Rejecting Christ - Parallel Paths to Condemnation - Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

 In today’s First Reading (Jeremiah 7:23-28) and the Gospel Reading (Luke 11:14-23), we can draw a parallel between “not listening to God” and “not believing in Jesus”.  We can recognize God’s increasing frustration with the Israelites for listening to Him, while noting Jesus’ vexation with those who do not believe him. To the Judeans who stubbornly refused to turn to God and listen to Him, God told that they were cutting themselves away from God as they were so obstinately walking their own ways, instead of the way that God had commanded (Jeremiah 7:28). And, to those who reject him by demonizing him, Jesus said they were obviously against him and not entitle to what he gather with those who are with him (Luke 11:23). Those who refused to listen to God but stubbornly go on their own way are those who cutting themselves away from Him. And those who refuse to believe in Jesus are standing against him. This is a gift of today’s readings.

 In reading the entire Jeremiah 7, we notice that the Judeans’ way of worship of God had deviated from the way of worship as commanded by God. And God gave the detailed instruction for the right way of worship while their ancestors were in the wilderness of Exodus. And, they swore that they faithfully follow the way that God had commanded (Exodus 24:3). But, after generations after generations, their worship were superficial as their hearts were drifting away from God. To this, God was reminding that they were stubbornly indifferent although He had spoken many times to correct them. So, He was warning that He would cast them out as He did to their northern brother ten tribes (Jeremiah 7:15). And this warning is reiterated in the verses follow today’s First Reading (Jeremiah 7:29-34). Had they converted their hearts and repented, upon this, then, they would not have lost Jerusalem and the Temple. They would not have been in exile in Babylon.

 

Jesus in today’s Gospel Reading had to deal with people, who accused him as demonic, for his exorcism. In response, Jesus pointed out that their accusation was quite illogical, because their argument to make Jesus demonic for drawing demon out means demon destroying his dominion. And he framed this nonsense of his accusers’ argument with these words:

Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons (Luke 11:17-18).

 

Then, Jesus challenges his accuser further, saying, why they do not accuse their religious leaders practicing exorcism as demonic (Luke 11:19).

This way (vv. 17-19), Jesus pointed out his accusers’ illogicality. But, obviously they were not able to open their eyes to correct themselves – just as the Judeans in the first reading never listened to God and correct their wrong way of worship.

 So, Jesus prophetically told them that the finger of the exorcist, whom they accuse as demonic, is finger of God, which can bring His Kingdom (v. 20). And, the fact that this finger was more powerful than demon proves God’s dominance over Beelzebul, the prince of demon – God’s stronger power over Satan. So, those who refuse the exorcist with a finger of God? And their refusal of Jesus, whose finger of exorcism is finger of God, are not with God. Therefore, they are not entitled to what God gathers – His Kingdom (vv.21-23).

Those who refuse to listen to God, those who do not believe in Jesus but reject him will be cut off from God and all the salvific benefits that He brings. And this is ultimately a reward for those who stubbornly refuse to listen to God and walk His way by following His commands but obstinately going on their ways.

A lesson from today's readings:

Refusing but pretending to follow God and rejecting Christ are parallel paths to hell, the state of being totally cut off from God.

Is our Lenten journey going in the direction as God has commanded? Or, are we just pretending to walk on the path that God has commanded but actually walking on our own way as we want? Is our Lenten journey is the way of Jesus, heading to the Cross and the empty tomb? Or, heading to hell?