Gospel: Mark 5: 1-20
The people of Gerasene decided among themselves that they are fine with the demons tormenting this poor man. They make shackles and chains for him, keep him on the outskirts of the town, and perform other measures of prevention to keep the man away from them. But when the day came for this man to be released from his demons, the people of the town were not willing to pay the price to help this man - 2000 unclean, unlawful swine. So, they expelled Jesus from their midst, preferring the demons with which they had grown comfortable.
Jesus was the only one to take pity on this poor man and help him. He found him on the margins of society, tormented by his demons, and Jesus delivered him from these shackles. The man wanted to follow Jesus, which in this case meant staying in his home town, telling people of the great mercy God had shown him in his life. The town that kept this man apart from them and would not help him must have him in their presence as a constant reminder of their failure to help this man.
How much are we like this town1 We prioritize certain issues of human life to the wholesale neglect of others, all while pretending to be pro-life. We would sacrifice the lives of so many at home and abroad while caring only for certain pet issues of human life and dignity. How comfortable have we become with so many demons! How many people are in our midst as a reminder of our cruelty and neglect?
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