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"I and the Father are one." With these words from today's Gospel reading, Jesus makes one of His most direct claims to divinity—a claim so shocking that the Pharisees immediately reach for stones to execute Him for blasphemy.

This powerful Wednesday in Passion Week meditation explores how this ancient confrontation reveals a fundamental truth: our world is permanently divided into two camps—those who follow Christ and those who oppose Him. There is no comfortable middle ground. As French Catholic writer Ernest Hello powerfully states, "Placed between the fire of those who love and the fire of those who hate, you will have to throw yourself into the battle, on one side or the other." This challenges our modern tendency toward moral relativism and cultural indifference.

We wrestle with the uncomfortable reality that what many consider neutrality actually serves the enemy's purposes. The large mass of people who remain indifferent to matters of faith—the cultural Catholics, the religiously unaffiliated—aren't truly neutral but unwittingly align themselves against God. This strikes at the heart of American Catholicism, which has historically tried to compartmentalize faith, keeping it private while conforming to secular standards publicly.

The meditation offers three practical resolutions: following Jesus whatever the cost in our personal, family, and social lives; witnessing boldly for Christ while patiently enduring contradiction; and praying for missionaries working in difficult conditions. These acknowledge that authentic discipleship demands "enormous efforts and enormous sacrifices," including potential loss of relationships with those who reject the faith.

Where do you stand in this unavoidable spiritual battle? As we approach Easter, consider whether you're fully committed to Christ and His Church or settled for a comfortable compromise that ultimately places you in opposition to God's purposes. The choice of camp is yours, but neutrality is an illusion.

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