Fourth Monday of Ordinary Time

As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

After Jesus drives the demons out of the possessed man, we are told of two very different reactions. First, the swineherds and people in the area are struck with fear at the sight of what happens. Although they could have focused on the miraculous cure of the demoniac, they instead focus on the drowning swine and beg Jesus to leave. These people miss out on an opportunity to welcome Christ into their lives because they are frightened by what he might do next. Similarly, some of us are afraid of what Jesus will do in our hearts if we truly let him in. He might drive out all the distractions, imperfections, and sin we have grown accustom to over the years. However, this is exactly what all of us are called to do. If we do not let Jesus into our hearts, then we allow ourselves to be possessed by worldly things and acts of sin. Instead, we should be like the man who has been freed from the demons. We should ask to follow Christ and then do what he tells us to do, proclaiming his gospel all along the way.

How do we react to God when he enters our lives through inspiration or the counsel of others? Are we willing to make our lives a proclamation of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace? Are we willing to go and do what God is asking us even if it isn’t what we expected or asked for?

O Lord, give me the grace to proclaim all you have done for us.

Amen.