Reading

Mark 5.14-20

The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

Reflection

By the end of the story, the troubled man is at peace, healed and proclaiming how much Jesus has done for him. But the community – perhaps stirred up by the swineherds who have lost out financially by the drowning of the pigs – is now begging Jesus to leave their country. If we allow ourselves to see the irony of it, Jesus – even though he had brought healing and deliverance – is exorcised from the community.

This healing miracle is not only about the social, political, and cultural ill-health of the Roman colonial world. It is also a mirror to all our communities, including communities of faith. Christian communities must always be mindful of the ways in which we can reinforce injustice, inequality and division -if we do not reflect on and challenge them. We cannot bring Christ’s healing to others if we do not recognise our own need of it.

Watch

Take note of the ways you find healing difficult.

…and pray

for wisdom to recognise that all of us are in need of healing and forgiveness.

Copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2024.