Brethren, with faith and trust in the Lord, we can never say at any moment that we are irredeemable. The first reading show how the weak of the weakest, the unthought of people in the society and those who trusted in the Lord were made great because of their faith and trust in the Lord. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, by faith, conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, and obtained the promises of the Lord. These were people whom nobody thought of them becoming great and making impact in their societies. Sometimes, when we think of ourselves, or even when others think of us as useless, as sinners, as unworthy and god for nothing, that is when God wants us to make us very important; we only need to turn to him with full trust and faith. Is this not what happen to a man in the gospel today who was possessed with a legion of demons (over 5000 demons).
The man possessed by a legion of demons seemed to the people around—and perhaps to himself—a hopeless case. Living there alone amidst the tombs, he could not help but harm himself, gashing himself against stones. Nobody could help him by restraining him. In our lives with God, some seemingly unsolvable situation may exist, perhaps some sinful state we got ourselves into, but from which we cannot seem to extract ourselves. Or we experience that we are always falling into the same sins, the same biting impatience, the same laziness, the same sensuality. Friends and family seek to help us, but we don’t have the will to change. Instead of rectifying the situation, we just make a pact with a kind of modus vivendi, saying to ourselves, “We can only live as best as we can.” But the result is that that one demon has multiplied in me and become a legion of demons. Am irredeemable?
Jesus, today, shows us that nobody is irredeemable, all of us are redeemable. 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 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.
All we need dear brethren is to always ask help from God, come to him when we are weak, when we have sinned, when all legions of demons and world pleasures are around, and even when we are ok. 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). “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 of to be unredeemable, pray that God will heal him or her today. Reflect also on how Jesus has reunited you with family and friends as he did to that man possessed by demons and pray that whatever is still stealing your happiness in this 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
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