HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME-The cure of the demoniac
Homily for Monday of the 4th week in Ordinary time
Hebrews 11: 32-40; Mark 5:1-20
The cure of the Demoniac
It acknowledged the truth that through faith these Jewish ancestors conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, won strength out of weakness, etc. However, they suffered and were persecuted, tormented, mocked, flogged, chained, imprisoned, stoned, killed by the sword, etc. But their faith never wavered.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Old testament believers lived and died in faith e.g Abraham, Noah, Moses etc. We must also live and die in faith. For by faith Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna, the Apostles, the Martyrs, the Confessors, the Virgins, the Bishops, priests, religious and lay people of all the Christian centuries have journeyed towards the Invisible One, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel reading speaks of the encounter of Jesus with the Gerasene demoniac.
We are told: "When he saw Jesus from a distance , he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, what have you to do with me , Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Mk 5:5-6). Jesus responded: "Come out of him, you unclean spirit" (Mk 5:8).
Beloved in Christ, the demoniac was a helpless man. He was under the control of the devil. Night and day, in the tombs and on the mountains, he was always howling and bruising himself and no one could subdue him. Jesus alone could help him. Jesus is the strong One who can destroy the kingdom of darkness filled with evil, death, uncleanliness, disorganization, etc and establish instead the kingdom of God filled with life, cleanliness, the spirit of God, organization, rue human dignity, harmony and blessedness. He is the one who can enter into the human heart and bring out the salutary change in us.
It is rather unfortunate that when the people saw what happened to the demoniac and the swine. They begged Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. However, the man who had been cited of the demons begged him to stay with him. But Jesus replied: "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you. He went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed" (Mk 5:16-20).
Friends in Christ, although Jesus was asked to leave the place, in his great love, he did not separate himself completely from the people. He left them a missionary in the person of the man who had been cured.
This is an invitation to us all beloved in Christ, to be missionaries in our respective environments. We have received favours from God, let us proclaim to everyone how much God loves us and what he can do for each one of us.
May God continue to establish us in his kingdom of light and peace as his faithful disciples. Amen
Have a blessed day
Fr Remi osj
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