Today’s Gospel describes the horrific condition of a man who was possessed by multiple demons. He had been chained up numerous times, but neither the chains nor men were strong enough to hold him. All day and night, he dwelt alone among tombs, and was at the mercy of the demons who possessed him.

“He was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.” (Mark 5:5 NABRE)

Though each and every person struggles with something different, many people today are suffering from a similar kind of imprisonment, whether it be mental, physical, or spiritual. Sometimes no matter what you’re going through, and no matter how many people are there to support and help you, you still feel alone.

This could apply to you, or to someone you know.

Whether you feel trapped by your mind, body, by particular sins, or by some other situation going on in your life, you need only follow the example of the man described in today’s Gospel.

“Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him.” (Mark 5:6)

The demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God, and also knowing that He had the power to drive them away, they asked Him to allow them to go into the swine that were nearby. Jesus permitted it, and when the demons entered the swine, they ran off of a cliff, into the sea, and drowned.

The swineherds went and reported to others what had happened, and everyone came to see for themselves.

“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.” (Mark 5:15)

Jesus freed the man who had been bound and tormented for so long. If you or someone you know is suffering in a similar way, go to Jesus and trust in Him to provide deliverance. Though deliverance may not always come in this life, we can trust in Him to bring us to the peace and happiness of the eternal life to come.

So, go to Jesus in your struggles!

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” (Romans 8:18)