What's your story?

Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 5:1-20), we meditate on a long text on the expulsion of a devil which was called Legion which oppressed and tortured a person. Today there are many people who use the texts of the Gospel which speak of the expulsion of the devils or impure spirits in order to frighten others. This is a sin! Mark does the opposite. As we will see, he associates the action of power of evil to four things: a) With the cemetery, the place of the dead. Death which kills life! b) With the pork which was considered an unclean animal. The impurity which separates from God. c) With the sea, which was considered a symbol of the chaos which existed before creation, and a chaos which destroys nature. d) With the word Legion, a name given to the army of the Roman Empire - the empire which oppressed and exploited people.

Jesus overcomes the power of evil in these four points. The victory of Jesus had a very great outreach for the community of the years 70’s, the time in which Mark wrote his Gospel. These communities lived under persecution by the Roman Legions, with an ideology which manipulated the popular beliefs concerning the devils in order to frighten people and to obtain their submission.

Today take time to remember some of the wonders that Jesus has done for you throughout your life.  Some of the wonders may have been life-changing events.  Other wonders may have been more subtle and may have taken place over a period of time.  Do you proclaim the wonders Jesus has done for you to the people in your life?  Do you share with your family or friends how Jesus is present to you and how Jesus is blessing you?

 As Jesus was leaving the town, the man he had healed came to him.  The man wanted to follow Jesus.  However, Jesus gently told the man to go home to his family.  He was to announce to them what Jesus had done for him.  The man left and did as Jesus requested and he proclaimed the wonders that Jesus had done for him.  Mark writes, “All were amazed!”

Today, take time and remember the many blessings you have received throughout your life.  It may be the gifts of family, good health, a good job, or dear friends.  Thank Jesus for the abundance of your blessings.  Most of them may seem like small gifts; however, good things often come in small packages.

Which point of this text pleased or struck you the most? Why? The man who was cured wanted to follow Jesus. But he should remain at home and tell everybody what Jesus has done for him. What has Jesus done for you? What’s your story? Do you want to share this with others? How have you been changed by Jesus?

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+