Be Free in the Lord

Gospel Reflection for January 29, 2024

“They came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!’ (He had been saying to him, ‘Unclean spirit, come out of the man!’) He asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘Legion is my name. There are many of us.’ And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, ‘Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.’ And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But he would not permit him but told him instead, ‘Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.’ Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.” (Mark 5:1-20 NABRE)

I’m sure in some way we can all relate to the poor man who was possessed in today’s Gospel. We’ve all struggled with something that we’ve felt bound to and chained by in our lives. Whether it be a certain sin, a mental or physical illness, a toxic relationship, or any other form of suffering, we’ve all experienced what it’s like to feel as though our situation is hopeless.

Like the poor possessed man, our sufferings have probably made us feel alone and outcasted. We all most likely know what it’s like to fall into desperation, and feeling as though we will never be free of the pain we are struggling with. It can be so easy to lose hope, and to think that we will forever be ensnared.

Today’s Gospel proves otherwise, however. Jesus went out of his way to seek out this man and to free him from the chains of possession. The Lord showed compassion for him and healed the man.

May this Gospel passage be a source of encouragement and hope for you! Jesus sees you in your suffering and understands your pain and your desperate longing for freedom. So, turn to Him. Seek Him out and allow the Lord to cover you in His love, peace, and joy, and trust in Jesus’ power to free you from the things that chain you down.