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Mar.12, 2026
Gospel Reflection: No Neutrality
Thursday of Third Week of Lent
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23
It is often easier to remain neutral on controversial topics rather than take a clear stance. Issues such as abortion are among the most divisive in public discourse. However, there are many other areas of life that provoke intense debate, particularly when moral principles are involved. War, politics, contraception, the definition of marriage, and economic policies elicit strong opinions that can lead to discord. As followers of Christ, neutrality is not an option when it comes to clear moral truths.
While not all debated issues are equally straightforward in terms of moral clarity, the Church, through the Gospel and its teachings, provides us with guidance on many critical matters. On fundamental issues—such as the dignity of human life from conception to natural death and the sanctity of marriage—God’s law is clear. In these cases, we must stand with our Lord.
Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel present a direct challenge: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” This indicates that failing to uphold and defend God’s law is not a neutral act; it is, in fact, opposing His will. Choosing sides can be difficult because standing with Christ often invites criticism, judgment, or even hostility from those who hold different views. Yet neutrality in these matters is a form of negligence, which Jesus identifies as a sin in today’s Gospel.
The passage begins with Jesus casting out “a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the crowds were amazed.” The man’s muteness, caused by a demon, symbolizes our own temptation to remain silent in the face of evil. Though the man in the story was physically possessed, we often experience spiritual muteness, caused by fear, intimidation, or confusion—tactics employed by the enemy to silence us. These same demonic forces work tirelessly to prevent us from proclaiming the truth of the Gospel.
Jesus then uses the image of a “strong man fully armed” guarding his palace, which represents satan and his demonic forces. This strong man seems invincible, guarding his domain with power. However, “when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.” Jesus is the “one stronger” who has already defeated satan and all his works. No matter how powerful evil may seem, it is powerless before God’s might. Thus, we should never fear standing for the truth, even when opposition arises from society, family, or friends. As followers of Christ, we are called to speak with courage, clarity, and love, trusting in God’s ultimate victory.
That being said, not every situation requires vocal confrontation. We must discern when God calls us to speak and when silence is an act of trust in His timing. There are times when entering heated arguments might not be fruitful or could cause further division. However, silence must come from discernment, not fear or a desire to avoid conflict. If our silence is motivated by demonic lies or intimidation, then it is a failure to stand with our Lord.
Reflect today on situations in which you might be tempted to remain silent or neutral out of fear. While anger and hostility are not the solution, avoidance is equally problematic. Charity demands that we speak the truth with love, even when it is difficult. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, discerning whether your silence is rooted in wisdom or in fear and intimidation. Commit yourself to standing with our Lord in every situation, confident that He is stronger than any evil you might face.
Lord of unfathomable might, Your power is greater than every lie and demonic temptation. You are able to overcome every sin I struggle with and to free me from fear. Please give me the courage never to remain neutral or silent when moral clarity is required. May I always be with You and help gather people to Yourself. Jesus, I trust in You.
Audio recording: https://youtu.be/H2GCDaWQsQI
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Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.