Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
One of the most important aspects of discipleship is sharing what Jesus has done in my life. Today's Scriptures testify to this in a striking way. Hearing another person's story, or telling our own, inspires everyone involved. Personal testimony about how God has worked in our lives brings glory to God in a manner that is unique and powerful.
The Gospel reading relates the story of the healing of the Gerasene demoniac. This particular healing is mentioned in all three synoptic Gospels; the details and depth of this story are rich and dramatic. Jesus and his disciples cross the sea from Galilee and enter the Gentile territory of Gerasenes when Jesus is approached by a man possessed by many demons. He has been living ‘among the tombs’, hurting himself, and screaming. His family and the townspeople had been unable to control him and he had been rejected by everyone. Jesus identifies the demons and casts them into a herd of swine. What I noticed in particular was what Jesus said to the man after he had exorcised the unclean spirits. The passage says the man “pleaded (with Jesus) to remain with him.” Who could blame this poor fellow for wanting to stay with Jesus after the tortured existence he’d endured? But Jesus knew exactly what God had in mind for this man. Jesus told him, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” (Mk 5:19). This man could bring greater glory to God by sharing his story—by giving his testimony about how God had delivered him from unthinkable evil. This was already apparent by the stunned reaction of the townspeople who witnessed the profound change in this man who was now sitting quietly, clothed, and ‘in his right mind’.
While few of us have experienced the dramatic healing of the Gerasene demoniac, we have all experienced the touch of God every single day of our lives. Prayerfully going back over our lives in search of moments when God was active is life-giving spiritual work. These experiences are worth savoring, remembering and sharing; these experiences give us encouragement when we are low and inspire others to seek direct evidence of God in their own lives. Most of all, the personal experiences of God that we share bring a special glory to Him in a way nothing else can.
-Gail Lyman