4th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday – 1st February 2021 — Gospel: Mark 5,1-20
Forces that Control Humanity
The narrative of the healing of the Gerasene Demoniac offers three different forces at work: Satan, Society and the Saviour. First, we see what Satan can do to people. We are not told how the demons entered the man and took control, but possibly it was the result of his yielding to sin. Because of this, he lost everything: home, family fellowship and friends. He lost his decency for he ran around in the tombs naked. He lost his self-control and lived like wild animals. He lost his peace and the purpose of living. Never underestimate the destructive power of Satan. Like a roaring lion, he seeks to devour people (1 Pet 5,8-9). The second force is the Society that isolates people for their problems, puts them under guard and, if necessary, binds them. The demons had given him strength to break the chains. With all of its wonderful scientific achievements, society still cannot cope with the problems caused by Satan and sin. It cannot permanently solve these problems and deliver demoniac victims. The third force is Jesus Christ, the Saviour, who graciously came to him in love. By shouting aloud Satan was trying to prevent or destroy Jesus from coming to the man who needed relief. But nothing could stop the Lord from coming to that graveyard and bringing him deliverance. It is interesting to note that Jesus spoke to the demons and permitted them to speak to him. Demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he has authority over them. Consequently, by the power of his word, Jesus cast out the demons and set the man free. These same forces are still at work in our world, trying to control the lives of people.
