Wednesday 30 June 2021

Today is Wednesday the 30 June, in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘Baba wethu singenile’:  ‘Our father, we have entered in the holy place, as you have invited us.  Be close to us.  Open our hearts to understand your word.  Remove the darkness that surrounds us and give us your light.’

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 8:28-34

When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him.  They were so fierce that no one could pass that way.  Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them.  The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine."  And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water.  The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs.  Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood.

Whatever you think of these stories about 'demoniacs' - people possessed by devils - it is interesting to see that it is these people - the ones thought of as mad - who recognise Jesus as 'Son of God'  Why do you think that might be?  What might it tell us?

At the end of this scene, when the townspeople hear what has happened, their reaction (like that of the demons) seems to be one of fear, begging him to leave.  Why do they react like this?  What are they afraid of?

As you hear the story again, notice especially these reactions of the different characters to Jesus, and perhaps ask yourself if you, in their place, would react any differently.

Every one of us, in our own way, is prey to our own demons, things that possess us or control us or take hold of us at times, though usually in more subtle and less visible ways than in this story.  Can I speak to the Lord now about the things that might be exercising control or power over me, and ask his help to free myself from their grip?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.