Our own direction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present dualistic arguments to people concerning the direction in which they are taking their lives. In some sense, the dualism is an important parameter here. God tells Jeremiah that he is to tell the people how they have turned their backs on the statutes and decrees He has given them to live in accord with the Will of God. That Will is for the people to be examples of the goodness which results from Covenant relationship with God. Friar Jude Winkler comments on the stiff necked disposition of the people who need to turn around to know the love, mercy and forgiveness of God. The image of turning our back is the dualism. Some might contend that we really try to keep God in view over our shoulder as we turn slightly away from the good that He would want for us. One aspect of that good for us that we find difficult is discipline. The person who chooses good and God is the opposite of those who hardened their hearts at Maribah in the desert as recalled by the psalmist. The Gospel from Luke today concludes with a strong dualistic statement for people to choose being with Jesus or being against Him. Friar Jude comments that this passage contains literary and argument devices and word plays. The Jewish technique to create a dualism for the purpose of discussion and discovery of truth may play a role in the ending of this passage as the sense of Jesus instructions to His disciples from earlier in His ministry is the opposite phrase. Stiff necked, back turned, heart hardened and possessed by demons are reflections of our decisions to do it our way.  The Way of Love is a different direction.