Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 8, 28-34
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,
two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.
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.
Liberation
1. Gadarenes. The inhabitants of Gadara, a city in the region of Decapolis. The name Gadara itself is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “enclosed between walls.” People can find themselves enclosed by three types of metaphorical walls that life imposes, but which Jesus has come to liberate us from.
a) Walls of problems. While encountering problems in life is inevitable, it’s quite another thing to lead a life dominated by problems. You shouldn’t let your existence be overshadowed by constant problems because this results in becoming enclosed and losing perspective on life, focusing solely on problem-solving. This can lead to feelings of guilt, anger, anguish, and exhaustion because your life is reduced to looking for solutions.
b) Walls of sufferings. Suffering is part of life and often stems from one’s decisions. You might cause your own suffering over things that you can’t or don’t dare to let go of. That results in confinement within self-created emotional or psychological suffering, without letting God’s grace act.
c) Walls of fear. Fear can paralyze you and you don’t dare to do anything, that’s why you close yourself in your fears, and that prevents you from growing. Your life becomes static, and you no longer look towards an objective, but you remain within yourself.
2. Coming from the tombs. When you live in the tomb of memories, you’re divided—possessed, in a sense. The etymology of the word “devil” is “slanderer”, “one who lives in a lie.” That’s why today, Jesus comes to heal you and invites you to leave behind the memory that causes you to live in a lie. Living in the past while embracing false memories results in a life filled with chaos and constant anger. Jesus wants to free you from this so that you can learn to live life in the present and focusing on eternity with Him.
3. They drowned. Living a conflictive life, dwelling on the past, and closing yourself off to the future can lead to drowning, because you don’t find a meaning in life. Jesus encourages you to break free from what binds you, embrace life, and create meaning. Stop living in the tomb, come out of that existential emptiness. Dare to make projects without fear. Dare to take risks for what you love. Life involves risk, and it’s better to keep trying than to spend your life waiting passively.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
