Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34
When Jesus reached Gadara, on the other side, he was met by two men, possessed by devils, who came out from the tombs. They were so fierce that no one dared to pass that way. They cried out, “Son of God, leave us alone! Have you come here to torment us before the time?”Some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding. So the demons begged him, “If you drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” Jesus ordered them, “Go!” So the demons left the men and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and was drowned.
The men in charge of the pigs ran off to the town, where they told the whole story; and also what had happened to the men possessed with the demons. The whole town went out to meet
Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Reflection
Today’s gospel episode affirms who Jesus is at the core of our struggles—our liberator, restorer, and healer amidst our brokenness. Often, we feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. It is essential to acknowledge that these difficulties, along with the evils pervading our society, stem not only from our shortcomings but also from a wicked force that seeks to undermine our shared
experience as God's people.
When Jesus commands the demons to leave their victims, it reveals God's profound compassion for us and His deep desire to restore the dignity of every person. In these challenging times, may we find the strength to open ourselves to God's grace, confronting the evil tendencies within ourselves and working collectively to confront and eradicate the evils in our world while bringing hope and healing to those in need.
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