Reflection
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals yet another of his miraculous powers, casting out demons from the two savage demoniacs who were coming from the tombs.
Jesus brings his disciples into a very unclean territory: there is a non-Jewish population, two demoniacs, dead bodies, and pigs. The unclean land, spirits, people, place, and animals all heighten the uncleanness of the scene. Jesus’ supernatural power makes clean what is considered unclean. And he does so in a magnificent way. We now see that Jesus has authority over not only leprosy, paralysis, fevers, and storms (Matthew 8:1-27), but even the minions of Satan. Just as the storm tried to prevent Jesus and his disciples from crossing the sea, so also the demons, through the men they possessed, tried to keep Jesus and his disciples from bringing healing to the Gentiles in the territory of the Gadarenes.
The encounter with the demoniacs reveals that Jesus has come not merely to heal individuals, but to overthrow the kingdom of Satan and establish the Kingdom of God. The demons immediately recognize who Jesus is and tremble before his authority. The demons fear that Jesus is coming to judge them before the appointed time, a reference to the judgment the devil and all demons will face at the end of time.
The demons know that Jesus has the power to drive them out and plead for a new home until the day of judgment. Jesus permits the demons to enter the herd of swine. Instead of remaining in the swine, the demons drive the herd to its destruction in the Sea of Galilee. Matthew is not concerned with explaining Jesus’ motive for allowing this, but only with depicting his authority. Just as Jesus tamed the storm through the power of his word, so he suppresses the demons by saying, ‘Go then!’ His miracles in Galilee sparked enthusiastic messianic expectation among the Jews, but the pagan Gadarenes seem afraid of his supernatural power, and they begged him to leave their district. They are not yet ready for the radical change Jesus offers through faith in Him.
Jesus has the power to cleanse what is unclean, and it is a power he will grant to his Apostles. It is a power he has granted to the bishops and priests of the Church, who in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing, and the Rite of Exorcism, continue to cast out demons, evil, and sin. Jesus is offering us these sacraments of healing so we can live “in communion” with Him and all that He teaches. Are we ready to embrace Jesus’ supernatural power or afraid of the change that faith in Him might require?
Today’s Questions for Prayer and Reflection
Are there areas of my life where I have allowed sin, fear, resentment, or unhealthy attachments to gain influence over my heart? What concrete step can I take today to invite Christ's healing and freedom into that area?
Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3478