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Gospel Reading for July 2, 2025 – Matthew 8: 28-34
TO STAY
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 reaction of the townspeople where Jesus freed the two demoniacs they feared so much, seems to be strange. Why did they beg Jesus to leave their district after witnessing such great power? Were they afraid that they would lose more pigs everytime he exorcised people with unclean spirits, therefore affecting their means of living? Were they afraid to rock the boat and just maintain the status quo and not care about the suffering of the two demoniacs? Anyway, they were only two compared to the population of the whole town?
In Christianity, EVERY SINGLE SOUL IS AS IMPORTANT AS ALL SOULS ALTOGETHER. We do not sacrifice the lives of some so others may live. We leave the 99 to look for 1 who is lost. Like Jesus, we are the ones who make the sacrifice so others may live.
Perhaps if it happened today, we Christians would even beg Jesus TO STAY so that all those who are suffering from being possessed by unclean spirits may be freed. And if it happened here in the Philippines, perhaps a lot of us will even offer our homes for Jesus TO STAY and give him first-class treatment out of gratitude!
Be with us Lord, especially when the evil one lurks around us. Exorcise us when the evil one takes a grip on us because we belong to no one else but you!
