And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
The state flag of the Commonwealth of Kentucky has a picture of two men, a well-dressed statesman and a roughly dressed frontiersman, shaking hands. The inscription reads: "United we stand; Divided we fall." It reflects the direct, simple wisdom of Jesus Christ.
Abraham Lincoln reflected on this parable when he considered the plight of the United States in 1858. He saw what others were not willing to see; and he said what others dared not say. He gave that “House Divided” speech upon being nominated by his party to the U.S Senate; and, because of it, lost to Stephen Douglas. However, the speech made his fame and eventually propelled him into the presidency.
Jesus' words to his opponents sound like common sense, as if he were a teacher speaking to quarreling children. Their accusation of him is utter nonsense. "How can Satan drive out Satan?" he demands. But common sense, along with truth, is often the first casualty of war. Maddened with envy and fear, people lose touch with reality and say whatever inanities come to mind.
This principle -- "a divided house cannot stand" -- should govern our actions night and day. In every quarrel we should remember "This conversation is not about who is right or wrong; it's about respect for my neighbor."
A recent Catholic newspaper forecasts a resurgence of the pro-life movement and its likely impact on the elections in November. I am appalled by abortion, as is most everyone I know, but I cannot support a movement which has no realistic aims and threatens only to sabotage what should be a civil conversation. A constitutional amendment to ban abortion would be no more effective than our present laws against drug abuse, illegal weapons or illegal immigration. Into what already-overcrowded prison would we put all the women, men, parents of women, doctors, nurses, and international airlines who knowingly perform and abet illegal abortions?
We can find ways to encourage responsible sexual behavior, parenting and moral behavior. We might find ways to build a culture that prefers moral character to consumption and wealth. But a legal shortcut to moral behavior is no more effective than a "war" on terror.
I believe the abortion issue lies at the very heart of the red/blue line in American society. President Nixon and his advisers, who had no particularly strong feelings on the issue, decided to use abortion as an issue to separate Catholics from the Democratic party. They effectively drove pro-abortion people out of the GOP and drew anti-abortion people into it; and defined the issue as a fault-line in American society. Since then the two-party system has divided the United States into red and blue states, conservative and liberal politics, and "us versus them." (As in "We will take the country back.")
In the meanwhile, abortion has become an international epidemic. Only some Muslim nations still ban it.
If we are ever to make headway against the plague we must reunite the house. We should find ways to make abortion unnecessary because we have fastened our ambitions to moral character rather than acquisition, and dedicated our zeal to holiness instead of freedom.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.