GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
- DATE: 30TH JANUARY 2017
MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Hebrews 11:32-40
PSALM: Psalm 31:20-24
GOSPEL: Mark 5:1-20
THEME: SWINE AND DEMONS
Mosquitoes enjoy stagnant waters and houseflies take delight in faecal matter. Evil spirits, on the other hand, look out for ‘swine’ to cool off whenever they feel tormented.
Our Gospel text for today gives us a scene of exorcism in the ministry of Jesus. It took place in the territory of the Gerasenes – an area that was predominantly gentile in population. In an encounter with a demoniac, Jesus gave the order, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (Mk. 5:8). As the narration progresses, we read, “And they begged him, ‘Send us to the swine, let us enter them’” (Mk. 5:12).
Why the choice of swine? A swine, within the socio—cultural and religious tradition of Jews, falls within the class of unclean animals (cf. Lev. 11:7-8). The request of the evil spirits was therefore a plea to go to that which is unclean.
Sin makes a ‘swine’ out of us and leaves us unclean. Persistence in uncleanness makes us the preferred landing spots of evil spirits and opens the door for demonic infestation.
There are some academic theologians who would prefer to rationalise any discourse on evil spirits and give no credence to their existence. However, denying the existence of something does not negate its existence. Evil exists; it steals, kills and destroy (cf. Jn 10:10). In Christ, we can take the necessary precautions and close any door that may give access to evil; and when we are tormented by demons in any form, we can always call upon Jesus for deliverance.
PRAYER: I cry out to you Lord for deliverance. Save me from the jaws of evil and break every chain that holds me in captivity. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).