Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Heb 11: 32-40; Mk 5: 1-20
Mark describes the first exorcism performed by Jesus in a pagan territory. This act of healing explains to us the love of Jesus and describes three main characteristics of the love of Jesus. Jesus reaches out to all; He transforms others, and He sends out to proclaim and testify what He has done for us.
First, Jesus reaches out to all, and no one is excluded. His love for people crosses the boundaries of culture, religion, race, background, gender, and age. As Jesus travelled to the region of the Gerasenes, he was not only crossing the Sea of Galilee, but also crossing cultural and religious boundaries, traveling to the land of the Gentiles.
Secondly, Jesus always transforms the life of people whom he encounters. At the word of Jesus, the possessed man’s life was transformed. He was restored, not just to his right mind, but to his family and community. His life had been given back to him; he had been brought back from the dead.
Thirdly, Jesus sends out the healed to proclaim the good news. This is seen in the Gospel when after healing the Geneserat man Jesus instructs him to, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” This inspiration from the life of Jesus invites us also to do the same in our lives.
Just as Jesus included everyone, and reached out to all in love and compassion, so we too are called to do the same and see them as God sees them. Just as Jesus had power to transform this man’s life, so he has power to transform our lives. By carrying Jesus’ love into the world, we play a part in transforming lives of others, transforming our family, community, our country and ultimately our world. As Jesus sent this man to proclaim what God had done for him, so Jesus sends us out into the world to proclaim his great deeds, and to carry his message of love to all people in both word and action. Let us in humility accept our limitations before God. Be healed by Jesus and be transformed to transform others and have the courage to proclaim the great things God has done in our lives.