Cast Out

When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matthew 8:28-34

We can all be possessed by fear, hurt, anger, despair and rage. In the past weeks we have witnessed violence against innocent children and adults who were victims of someone else's displaced rage. We rarely talk about demon possession, but we all know what it looks like. Like the people who asked Jesus to leave their neighborhood, we often get used to our own evil, and fear being made whole. May we pray and act today as followers of Jesus who prefer healing to our familiar demons.

Wondrous Creator, healer of all

we cry out to be made whole

we want to be revived by you

yet we hold on tight to our demons.

Help us today to be ready and willing

to set down those ways and objects

that keep us from living as disciples

the familiar and comforting demons

that destroy our beloved communities. Amen.