The Gospel According to Matthew 8:28-34
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. 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? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swine herds ran away, and when they came to the town, they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their district.
Reflection:
The story of Jesus driving out the swine is increasingly appropriate for the deeper worldliness we have progressed into within the last few decades. The fact that the whole town wanted Jesus to leave because of what He had done is a striking metaphor for the need to diffuse aggressive behaviors. Sometimes it is hard to observe situations that exceed the limit of our tolerance, and we want to do more.
When this happens to me, I silently voice it out in prayer. Praying is a selfless act, the opposite of the selfishness of aggression. I have witnessed instances of evil being committed due to the selfless choice of the individual. Prayer provides the gift of fearlessness allowing us to accept Jesus’s embrace which helps us to walk toward or away from those who outright reject righteousness. With Divinity guiding us, if the choice is to walk toward, we do so with the light of non-aggressive neighborly love.
Action of the Day:
Walk quietly with God today and ask Him to help you grow closer in love with Him and to help you love thy neighbor.
Audio Reflection:
