DELIVER US FROM EVIL ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Wednesday, 5^th July 2017.

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Gen 21: 5, 8-20;

Ps 34: 7-8, 10-13;

Mt 8: 28-34

DELIVER US FROM EVIL

Two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met Jesus as he approached the village. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? This Scripture passage reveals that the Demons are ferocious; and that Jesus has complete power over them. Jesus enters by healing the two demoniacs proves that he can overcome all evil.

It’s clear that the demons possessing these two men were vicious and filled those in the town with great fear. So much so that no one would even come near them. We may not encounter evil in such a direct way very often, but we do face it at times. The evil one is alive and is constantly striving to build his demonic kingdom here on Earth. Jesus has complete authority over the demons. Interestingly, He casts them out into the herd of swine and the swine then run down the hill and die. The town’s people are so overwhelmed they then ask Jesus to leave the town. In part, the reason seems to be the fact that Jesus’ exorcism of these two men causes quite a commotion. The manifest evil does not depart quietly.

The two possessed people came from among the tombs, just as we come out of our areas of entombment – our addictions, our overindulgences, our judgments of others, our abuse of our gifts, our negative attitudes. Just like these two people who harassed travelers, our addictions and negative attitudes can cause untold harm to our neighbors. Because of this, people might avoid us! Jesus however, dares to meet us exactly where we were. Our evils recognize Jesus and we are delivered when we go near Jesus.

But sometimes, when Jesus comes to delivers the evil in us, we might not recognize the healing. How often does the Holy Spirit nudge us and we ignore it? We are comfortable with our pig business and continue in sin! Nobody should disturb us from enjoying worldly pleasures. Let us reflect on our lives, and try to be more open to God’s guidance and action and not beg him to leave like the people in the Gospel, so that we may have life in abundance.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remain strong in the face of the evil one and his kingdom of darkness. Help me to confront that kingdom with confidence, love and truth so as to bring forth Your Kingdom in its place. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.