Homily for Monday of 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II (1)

Homily for Monday of 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II

Theme: The Coming of salvation

By: Fr. Mike Lagrimas

Homily for Monday January 31 2022

Mk 5:1‐20

They came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But he would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

Jesus drove away Legion, the name of the group of demons that possessed a man. They pleaded with the Lord that they be allowed to enter a group of pigs. He granted their request, and they entered the pigs. These pigs, then, ran down the cliff and drowned.

Jesus showed His power over the evil spirits. His coming was truly a signal of the coming of salvation. At first, the people in this pagan territory appreciated His presence and display of heavenly powers. Surprisingly, however, very soon they changed their attitude towards Jesus. Their amazement and delight turned into fear and rejection. They pleaded with Jesus to leave their town immediately. Why?

The answer is very superficial. They were afraid that having Jesus with them for some time might mean economic and material losses for them. Two thousand pigs that died due to the evil spirits that Jesus drove away was a big loss in their livelihood. The people were afraid that similar incidents might take place again in the future if Jesus will still be in town. So they asked Jesus to leave.

Salvation has come to the town, but the people were not willing to accept it because for them, material possessions are more important than salvation.

Though we may find this truly absurd, but it happens every day. People know that Jesus is our Savior. Yet they do not accept Him in their lives because they are not willing to face the demands of discipleship. Accepting Jesus means total change of life: turning away from sin, vices, selfish ambitions and worldly pleasure and comfort, and following the way of the cross. Many people are not ready to do this. So, they cannot accept and follow Jesus.

Let us ask the Lord to give us enlightenment and wisdom so that we will realize what is truly important in our lives: heaven more than this world; salvation more than material comfort; eternal life more than physical and limited life. This realization will always make us ready and eager to receive and follow Jesus, despite all the sufferings and sacrifices we may encounter. May the Lord lead us, for He is the Way. May the Lord teach us, for He is the truth. May the Lord save us, for He is our Life. Amen.

Fr. Mike Lagrimas

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Diocese of Novaliches