Episode 1808: Are we a house divided?

I was listening to a podcast last night on a very trusted source and they reported that Kari Lake who is running for the US Senate as a Republican recorded a conversation that she was having with the Republican Chairman of the State of Arizona (Jeff Dewit) and one of the things he said to her was you need to step away for at least two years because the people out east requested it. She responded that if it were not good for the country why would she do that because she is more than capable. She said you know it would not be good for the country and he said, “I know that, but they could make it good for you by giving you a job with a big corporation and you could get a good job as a talking head.” She said well that is not going to happen, and they will have to kill me, and his response was somewhat interesting. He said well you know the cartel is now operating in all 50 states”.
Interesting statement. So what was more interesting is none of the big media outlets picked up this story. You would think that anything that could hurt the Republican Party would be excellent for the modern media because they in my opinion are just an extension of the Democratic party. But even more importantly, and one reason I stopped being a party person was that very few politicians really have any loyalty to anything or anybody other than themselves and so what happens? You have a house divided. The common citizens verses the powerful politicians and this house divided can not stand and will result in one of two things. 1. A civil war or 2. A revolution. Why? Because the American citizens whether they are democrat, republican or independent are starting to wake up!
Then it got me thinking. How appropriate is today for that theme? The conversion of St Paul. We may never convert our lobbyists or politicians, but we can convert the citizens. Am I speaking about converting them to take action in their civic duties? Well although everyone should be civic minded because this is our country we are talking about; I am referring to our Conversion to Christ because do you think any of this is not guided by the hand of Christ? I mean both our government and church are creating a house divided and us Catholic are led to ask, “Can we trust anyone?” Yes we trust Christ and we realize what has been happening is what happens when you take your eyes off Christ and focus on everything else.Show more

He says you want that. You got that!
Matthew 12:25 "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

Mark 3:25 "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

In both passages, Jesus is responding to the Pharisees' accusation that he was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. By stating that a divided house cannot stand, Jesus argues that it would be illogical for Satan to cast out his own demons. This strengthens his case that he is truly working by the power of God.

Many great saints have commented on the passage "a house divided cannot stand"

Saint Thomas Aquinas: analyzes the passage in his commentary on the Gospels. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of members within a community or household, arguing that their internal harmony is essential for its strength and prosperity. He applies this principle to both spiritual and secular domains, urging Christian communities to foster unity and reconciliation.
Aquinas focuses on the concept of self-destruction inherent in internal division. He highlights the self-defeating nature of internal conflict and urges individuals and communities to strive for unity and harmony.
Saint Teresa of Avila: The mystic Saint Teresa of Avila interprets the passage through the lens of spiritual growth. She sees the "house" as the human soul and the division as the struggle between good and evil desires. She highlights the importance of self-mastery and striving for internal unification with God through prayer and contemplation.
Saint Francis of Assisi: The founder of the Franciscan order, Saint Francis of Assisi, uses the metaphor to emphasize the importance of peace and reconciliation. He argues that internal conflicts within communities, families, and even within oneself, weaken and fracture. He calls for forgiveness, understanding, and building bridges, echoing the essential unity underlying all creation.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Mother Teresa, known for her humanitarian work with the poor and dying, applied the concept of a "house divided" to address social injustices and inequalities. She saw societal divisions based on poverty, hunger, and disease as internal wounds that weaken the social fabric. She dedicated her life to mending these divisions through acts of compassion and service.
Saint Augustine: In his famous autobiography, "Confessions," Saint Augustine uses the metaphor of a house divided against itself to describe his inner turmoil before his conversion to Catholicism. He wrestled with contradictory desires and felt torn between faith and sin.
In his book Chapter 8, towards the end of his intense spiritual and philosophical struggle before his conversion to Christianity.

Here is the specific passage:

"And what is it that I command myself? To will. And when I command, I will will; and I feel I could do as I would—to will—and not to will—and yet I do not what I will, because I will not to will with my whole will. Is there, then, in one mind two wills,—one old, another new? Or is it rather one and the same will, that in part wills, in part nills the same thing?"

In this passage, Augustine is grappling with the internal conflict he experiences. He desires to pursue God and follow Catholicism, but his worldly desires and sinful habits pull him in the opposite direction. He commands himself to "will" - to choose God - but finds himself unable to fully commit. This internal division feels like a house divided against itself, where one part desires one thing, while another desires its opposite.
The concept of the "house divided" in this context represents the intense inner struggle between good and evil, spiritual longing and earthly temptations. It captures the feeling of being pulled in two different directions, unable to find complete internal unity.
So yes are we as Catholic Americans starting to see both the fabric of our beloved country being shredded to pieces and the fabric of our beloved church also being shredded to pieces but what we must do is first recognize the inner conflict of ourselves and like St Augustine said. Is there, then, in one mind two wills, one old, another new? Or is it rather one and the same will, that in part wills, in part nills the same thing?"
So if Christ said Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolate on, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand then we must first do the will of Christ and do all we can to listen to him when he speaks to us first. Let man destroy what man is capable of destroying but lets not let Satan destroy our will to call to Christ and say “Speak Lord for your Servant is Listening .. what is it you will me to do for you today”

Now lets here from the good father but Id like to end this with A prayer for those who are persecuting the Church:
O God, who didst convert Saint Paul, the persecutor, into the Apostle of Thy love, grant that all those who now persecute Thy Church may be turned by Thy grace and become witnesses to Thy truth. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.