Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 3, 2025

Date: Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples 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 Jesus 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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Jesus’ cure of a man possessed by a legion of spirits. We see the spirits’ recognition of Christ’s power and authority alongside the fear of townspeople who did not understand the miracle. Finally, we see the man cured proclaiming Christ to others.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Are there parts of me that I don’t want to let Christ heal or touch? Do I push Christ away at times because of the cost of discipleship?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Redeemer, we lift our voices to You this day seeking the wholeness and holiness possible only in You, with You and through You and your love. Send your Spirit to help us set down those things that stand between us, that weigh us down, that give us a false sense of wealth and pride. Grant that we may open ourselves this day and all days to your transformative and saving love and that we will be heralds of the good news in our homes and communities. Amen.