Gospel 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 lake 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.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Mother Damian Intentions
Reflection
Because the townspeople cannot cope with divine power, they ask Jesus to leave. But Jesus has won a fundamental victory over evil and has established the reign of God. This incident in the Gospels is a revelation of the compassion of Jesus for people like us and that He will do anything he can to free us from the demons, like fear, anxiety or resentment, that we have allowed to enslave us. By staying close to Jesus, we have nothing to fear from the devil or the world.
God Bless you all Deacon Martyn