Reflection for July 2 Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 8:28-34

Gospel: 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.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a woman who believed that Satan could defeat God. Soon after, her belief in Satan slowly but surely eroded her faith in God. After a period of time, this woman was eventually possessed by Satan. 

Do we also believe that Satan can defeat God? It is better that we do not, because the moment we believe, we allow the power of Satan to slowly seep into our lives. Satan begins to become a reality in our life the moment we begin to believe in his power to defeat God. 

In our Gospel, we read about the power of Jesus over demons. They were no match for Jesus because they cowered before the Lord’s presence. What does this tell us? It tells us that Jesus is the supreme power above all, and that nothing can stand against Him. 

Evil exists within us because we allow it to exist; we give it the freedom to dwell in our hearts. How does this happen? It happens when we commit sin even when we know that what we are doing is wrong in the eyes of God. Thus, we give Satan the freedom to influence our lives. As it stays with us, it slowly but surely begins to control our minds, leading us to think of evil things and to do what is not pleasing to God. 

But all is not lost. If we know and have faith in Jesus, and if we begin to take Him and His teachings seriously, Satan will flee from us. Evil, or anything that is evil, will have no place in our values, our choices, and our lives. 

Why? For the simple and comforting reason that Jesus is the supreme power. And when we remain connected with Jesus through prayer, His Word, and obedience to His will, evil will not be able to influence our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas