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Gospel Reading for July 01, 2026 – Matthew 8: 28-34
OBSTACLES
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.
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The two demoniacs were described as being “so savage that no one could travel by that road.” Because they were possessed by demons, they immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God. This time, the demons were the ones who were afraid, for they knew who Jesus was, the power he possessed, and his authority over them. So terrified were they that they begged him to drive them out and send them into the herd of swine.
The reaction of the townspeople, however, was quite surprising. Were they not glad that the two men whom they feared had finally been set free? Were they themselves frightened by the extraordinary power of Jesus? Or were they more concerned about the loss of their herd of swine and feared that they might suffer even greater losses if he remained among them?
Perhaps they simply wanted to preserve the status quo. They may have thought, “Never mind the suffering of these men. As long as we keep our distance, they will not trouble us. We do not need someone as powerful as this man. Let us not rock the boat. Let us simply continue living our quiet and ordinary lives.”
Such attitudes of indifference and complacency can become OBSTACLES to our salvation. There are even those who say that they would have been better off not knowing Jesus or his commandments because, now that they know them, they are more aware of their sins. Yet perhaps those who think this way have not truly come to know Jesus. When we genuinely encounter him, he does indeed reveal our sins and shortcomings—but he does so not to condemn us, but to invite us to conversion. His immense love has the power to transform us into the persons God created us to be.
Sadly, the townspeople let that opportunity pass, and it was their great loss. The two men who had been freed, however, surely spent the rest of their lives praising God for the mercy they had received.
May we never miss the opportunity to be transformed by the powerful Son of God. We have only one life on earth in which to prepare for eternity.
Lord Jesus, we want you to be our Savior, now and always!
