My Wednesday Daily Blessings
Be still, quiet your heart and mind, the Lord is here loving you,
talking to you.................
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Roman Rite Calendar)
*First Reading: Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Then truly will the LORD, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim!
Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate;
Then it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.
I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the LORD,
I take no pleasure in your solemnities;
Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings.
Away with your noisy songs!
I will not listen to the melodies of your harps.
But if you would offer me burnt offerings, then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.
*Responsorial Psalm: Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17
"To the upright I will show the saving power of God."
*Gospel Reading: Mt 8:28-34
They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.
They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?
Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"
Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.
The demons pleaded with him, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."
And he said to them, "Go then!"
They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned.
The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.
Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
**Reflection:
Do you ever feel driven by forces beyond your strength? Two men driven mad by the force of many evil spirits found refuge in the one person who could set them free. Both Mark and Luke their gospel accounts of this incident describe this force as a legion (Mark 5:9 and Luke 8:30). A legion is no small force – but an army 6,000 strong! For the people of Palestine, hemmed in by occupied forces, a legion, whether spiritual or human, struck terror! Legions at their wildest committed unmentionable atrocities. Our age has also witnessed untold crimes and mass destruction at the hands of possessed rulers and their armies. What is more remarkable – the destructive force of these driven and possessed men, or the bended knee at Jesus' feet imploring mercy and release? God's word reminds us that no destructive force can keep anyone from the peace and safety which God offers to those who seek his help. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. ..Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation (Psalm 91:7,9).
Jesus took pity on these men who were overtaken by a legion of evil spirits. The destructive force of these demons is evident for all who can see as they flee and destroy a herd of swine. After Jesus freed the demoniacs the whole city came out to meet him. No one had demonstrated such power and authority against the forces of Satan as Jesus did. They feared Jesus as a result and begged him to leave them. Why would they not want Jesus to stay? Perhaps the price for such liberation from the power of evil and sin was more than they wanted to pay. Jesus is ready and willing to free us from anything that binds us and that keeps us from the love of God. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from his love and saving grace?
**Prayer:
Sources:
*Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
**Don Schwager
Author and Writer
Sword of the Spirit and
The Word Among Us
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