GOSPEL, Matthew (8: 28-34)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs
28 When he 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. 29 Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 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. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
As we can see in this reading, Jesus triumphs over the demons performing an exorcism. According to the Gospel Jesus heals two demon-possessed people in the land of pagans in Gadara, a coastal city southeast of the Sea of Galilee. As a miracle, the cure is also a sign that the kingdom of God has come to the world of men through Christ and that the Kingdom is already operating with victory of good over evil. The protest of the demons (v. 29) “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” springs from the fact that, according to the apocalyptic mind-set, they would have power over Humanity until the last day, the coming of Jesus, demonstrates instead, that salvation is already present, and Satan’s rule is already discredited.
Jesus brings the power and purity of the kingdom into a land of impurity and death. But if demons recognize in Him the Son of God, men, on the contrary, concerned with their fears and interests, reject Him.” When they saw Him, they asked Him to withdraw from their territory.” (v. 34).
Faced with this accomplished miracle, let us become aware of the power of Jesus over us, when we open ourselves up to Faith, questioning our own life, our choices and priorities.
PRAYER
We bless your name, God of our liberation; heal us from all alienation and slavery, so that as Christians we may be fulfilled. Help us Father, to live as your children, free and guided by your Spirit in the love of our brothers and sisters. Amen.