The nuns told us in grade school that the world's people either chose for Christ or against Christ. I lived like this for a long time, joining a community in my twenties and choosing good friends in my thirties. I chose Mass-goers, those who were moral, and those who prayed as friends. This was my "list" for dating as well. I refused to date Protestants or wishy-washy Catholics.
Because of good friends, I managed to grow in my faith and slowly, but surely, learn to pursue Christ daily. For a few years, I forgot how bad enemy territory really was, but then again, God showed me.
Soon, I could see that most entertainment, most places of entertainment, and many parties were just plain evil. To put one's self in the presence of temptation was the sin of presumption. How could one expect Christ to protect one from evil when one went to taverns, even sports bars, or anything but PG13 movies? How could one expect to grow in discernment by going to parties where people drank to much? And so on...
No middle ground, no neutral territory. I learned that in the work-world, one was mostly in enemy territory and one always, always had to be on guard.
The home had to be good, better, best; a place of prayer, worship, solace, studying the faith and honesty. The home had to be the breeding ground for the virtues.
Thankfully, before I was married, I figured out that schools were mostly enemy territory and decided to home school.
No neutral territory...
And, these were decisions I made a long time ago. Now, folks, it is worse. The good is better and the bad is hellishly worse.
No neutral territory...
If you are a young person and do not believe this, pray to see this reality.
If you are middle-aged and have one foot in enemy territory, you are mocking God.
If you are old, you probably see this, or sadly, have completely fallen into enemy territory.
No middle ground. A reader shared with this morning that her "hippy priest" has awakened and now sees that the Christian life is one of suffering and decision.
Wonderful. He can see the lines that have been drawn clearly.
If you are compromising and entering enemy territory regularly, God will demand a decision soon.
Are you like a mercenary soldier who is only fighting for pay, and not from the heart?
Are you not sure what side of this very real battle you want to be?
Choose, as there is no middle ground, no neutral territory.
The saints know this, and knew this while on earth.
Now, they are in the safe havens. We are not. We are the Church Militant.