Daily Catholic Reflection: February 01, 2021, Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 11:32-40;

Psalm 31 :20.21.22.23.24;

Mark 5: 1-20 Full Readings

Saint Ansgar

 Jesus Restores us to Life

Brethren, in today's Gospel, we see Jesus restoring life to a man who was possessed by a legion of demons, which had made him very dangerous and frightening so that nobody would even approach him nor could he be united to his family again. Jesus sends away the demons to the pigs and they drowned into the lake while the man regains life and is united with his family. The experience of this man before being healed by Jesus is saddening and some of might have gone through it but Jesus today by his word wants to heal us.

Clearly, this brief summary of the story does not adequately explain the terror, trauma, confusion, suffering, etc., that this man endured during the years of his diabolical possession. And it does not adequately explain the grave suffering of this man’s family and friends, as well as the disorder caused to the local townspeople as a result of his possession. Thus, to better understand this story, it is useful to contrast the before-and-after experience of all involved. It was very difficult for everyone to comprehend how this man could go from being possessed and out of his mind to calm and rational. For that reason, Jesus told the man to “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Imagine the mix of joy, confusion and disbelief that his family would have experienced. 

If Jesus could transform the life of this man who was completely possessed by a Legion of demons, then no one is ever without hope. Too often, especially within our families and among old friends, there are those whom we have written off as irredeemable. There are those who have gone so far astray that they seem hopeless. But one thing this story tells us is that hope is never lost for anyone—not even those completely possessed by a multitude of demons. Jesus can also restore us to life, unite us back to our friends and family and to normal again; let us not lose hope and trust in him. 

Jesus shows that the devil and its Angels has no power over humaninty. The humanity of the possessed man had been conquered by evil, which tortured him “night and day” and roamed the tombs unrestrained. But that evil prostrated itself before Our Lord and begged. We can draw great consolation from the image of Legion kneeling and pleading before the Lord. The Catechism teaches, “The power of Satan is … not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God’s reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries—of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature—to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but “we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him (Romans 8:28).” (CCC 395.)

Reflect today on that one person who is thought to be unredeemable, pray that God will heal him or her today. Reflect also on how Jesus has reunited you with family and friends and pray that whatever is still stealing your happiness in life and unity among friends and family may go away by his love and mercy towards you.

Let us Pray

Lord, I offer my life and my whole self to you, take possession and control over it and never allow the devil to possess me and use me for its evil ways. Amen

Be blessed