Wednesday 4 July
Matthew 8:28-34
Jesus took a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and arrived in Gadara. Gadara was mainly populated by Greeks and was under the governance of Syria. It was here that he encountered not one but two men possessed by demons. Matthew records that they greeted Jesus, if ‘greet’ is the right word, with a Semitic statement of rejection, ‘What do you want with us?’ (cf. 1 Kgs. 17:18 and 2 Kgs. 3:13). It is clear that the demons speaking through the men were threatened by Jesus and recognized that he had the power and authority to overcome them. Sensing that their number was up, so to speak, the demons asked that the Lord repossess them (no pun intended) into a herd of pigs. Whilst it was a case of good news for the poor demoniacs, it was very bad news for the owner of the pig herd whose livelihood was about to go not so much down the drain as over the cliff.
What do you make of this incident? We don’t tend to see this kind of thing happening very much in our parishes. Actually, our problem today is, rather as in the case of sin, that we have lost a sense of the reality of evil. The Church has always taught of the reality of demons just as it teaches about the reality of angels. Demons, after all, are fallen angels. We also pray in the Our Father, ‘deliver us from evil.’
In a way which some of us may find uncomfortable, when it comes to the devil and exorcism it is sometimes films that provide us with the best understanding of the power of the gospel. In The Exorcist, for example, which is about a girl suffering from some kind of demon possession, whatever is inside of her is intimidated and frightened by the cross of Jesus, holy water and the prayers of the Church. Hollywood has served us well.
We cannot fully understand the realm of evil but it is enough for us to understand that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue, in heaven and on earth, will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We humbly bow to the wisdom of the Church and Scripture and resist the devil and his temptations.
‘The devil does not dare look at you directly because he sees the light blazing from your head and blinding his eyes.’ (St John Chrysostom)
Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 • Psalm 49(50):7-13, 16-17
Matthew 8:28-34
Daily Reflections
Subscribe to Bible Alive today, and read Daily Reflections wherever you are!
Can't find a book?
Fill out our enquiry form to register interest in a particular Catholic/ Christian book.
Holy Cross Parcels
Make a difference by making a donation and buying a Holy Cross Parcel. Click here
Twitter and Facebook
Pope Francis Special Bumper Edition of Faith Today
Click here to read Joanna Moorhead's blog from the Conclave and the Inauguration
Free Faith Pack
FREE Faith Pack
worth over £30/€50!!
with every new subscription to
Bible Alive or Faith Today.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Faith Today Trial Subscription
Try out Faith Today for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Faith Today this way and have been with us for years.
Trial Bible Alive Subscription
Try out Bible Alive for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Bible Alive this way and have been with us for years.
Give it a go today!
Walk With Me
Walk with Me is a prayer and scripture journey for the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter.
Alive Design – Wedding Stationery
Catholic Today Newspaper
Catholic Today is the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Birmingham with the latest Birmingham Catholic news and videocasts.
Christian Publications
Bible Alive - Subscription
Latest Catholic Articles
Daily Reflections
Bible Alive daily reflections are written in an accessible and warm style inviting you to penetrate and plumb the depths of the scripture reading of the day.
Latest Daily Bible ReflectionFree Catalogue
