4th Week in OT 2019 - Monday - Jesus and the demon-possessed Gerasene

To this day, numerous caves dot the shoreline of the east side of the sea of Galilee in the territory of the Gerasenes.  Even in daylight this would have been an eerie place to be sailing by, for many of the caves were used to bury the dead.  In Jesus’ time, the caves were popularly regarded as a favorite haunt of demons.

As Jesus steps ashore, he is immediately challenged by the demonic powers that seem to hold sway in the area, as if guarding their territorial rights. The moment Jesus sets foot on land, a demon-possessed man emerges from the tombs, wild-eyed, shouting, and bearing marks of self-muti
lation. Unclean spirits have taken over his personality resulting in a life of unbearable torment and alienation. Unable to function in human society, he lives among the tombs, the realm of the dead. This is a picture of what the devil wants for mankind—slavery to the tyranny of evil, not only on this earth, but for all eternity.

Because of original sin, Satan has acquired a certain domination over all human beings; in all of us the image of God is defaced to some degree.  Unholy desires to rebel against God, to forsake the use of reason, to violate our human dignity through sin, tempt each one of us.

Upon seeing this poor soul, Jesus shows his decisive and complete power over the forces of evil.  In the previous passage, Jesus calmed the winds of the storm—over the power of destruction in nature—with a single word. Now this story illustrates Jesus’ power over the forces of destruction within the human person.

Those forces still exist in us—those tendencies towards alienation and selfishness and self-pity. But through Baptism and the Sacraments and the life of prayer and charity we are brought into a new relationship with God, who works through our faith and the faith of the Church to bring deliverance from evil.

We pray today, that in our communion with the Lord, he will step into the territory of our hearts and expel those destructive powers in us, free us from the shackles and chains of sin, that we may live in perfect love towards God and our neighbor, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
 
- - - - - -

That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church.
That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.
For the liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord