The Gospel of Saint Matthew presents a fairly graphic account of the real effects of demons around us. It would be a false interpretation of this Gospel to consider Jesus’ action, or the story itself, as purely symbolic. Indeed, if demons were merely myth, Jesus would have had the moral obligation to stand clearly against such ideas. Instead, Jesus gives us a teaching on what the demons are capable of doing and what they are permitted to do. Swine represent what is filthy in the animal world. Demons seek out what is filthy, and so if they are obliged to leave one place, they seek out another place of filth. Spiritually, filth corresponds to vice, and vice is the place where the evil spirits like to take up residence. These two men, possessed of demons, live in the place of death: the tombs. Vice, like virtue, is a stable disposition – in other words, it is habitual and more difficult to change. The demons like to re-enforce and strengthen our vices so that we may be convinced they are impossible to overcome after we have made valiant attempts. Jesus shows us that it is possible to overcome these spirits by simply casting them out. Jesus even teaches us to cast out the demons in His name.
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our Christian life must progressively become a constant reaching out in faith to Jesus for healing. There is a constant temptation to imagine we have been healed and no longer need a Healer or Savior. Our condition on this earth and in this present life is that of a beggar. The beatitude of the poor in spirit draws us into the attitude of faith that gains us a hearing with the one whose love despises not the helpless and broken. Our issue of blood is our sin. Nothing we have done, nor any recommendations given by the physicians of this age have brought us peace or healing. The blood that leaks out of our heart is our life, our hopes, and our ideals progressively draining away. Surely we will die without a physician who actually understands our problem! The operation is not complicated, it is as simple as grasping a dangling thread. Our act of faith moves us completely beyond the dead-end of our earthly existence and fruitless striving for happiness. Healer of the hidden corner of darkness in our souls, gently deliver us from the heaviness we cling to! I surrender to your tender, loving, and healing embrace.
Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
One of the greatest challenges for someone who has begun to pray regularly is detachment from any measurable effects of prayer. There can be nagging thoughts questioning the quality or effectiveness of our prayer. There could be the longing for something extraordinary to happen while we pray: a great feeling, a vision, extacy, transports of love, a voice, etc. There could be disappointment if the intentions we carried with great fervor are not answered perceptibly. These let downs can exasperate us to the point that we give up on anything beyond rote prayer.