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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Go home to your family

Opinion

Go home to your family

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus’ encounter with the demoniac happens in the territory of the Gerasenes, a Gentile region. Though the man possessed by the unclean spirit shows extraordinary strength that no man can subdue him, yet the demonic forces are no match for Jesus, who is the “stronger one.” In fact, Jesus’ authority over evil is unparalleled so that his presence terrorizes “Legion” even from a distance. A real transformation happens in the man—from the state of evil enslavement characterized by destructive and violent behavior, to a state of freedom and restoration of his dignity: the man now is fully clothed and in his right mind. The healed man asks “to remain” with Jesus as his disciple, but Jesus enjoins him “to proclaim” the kindness of God to his own folks in the Decapolis. He becomes an effective witness to Jesus also among the pagans, and as a result all are amazed.

First reading • 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13

An informant came to David with the report, “The children of Israel have transferred their loyalty to Absalom.” At this, David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem: “Up! Let us take flight, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Leave quickly, lest he hurry and overtake us, then visit disaster upon us and put the city to the sword.”
(…)Then the king said to Abishai and to all his servants: “If my own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life, how much more might this Benjaminite do so? Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day.” (…)

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected].

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REFLECTIONS 366 Days with the Lord

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