MASS READINGS:
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 8:28-34
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION: “What have you to do with us, Son of God?"
In today's gospel, the two men that were possessed were part of the town. And the community tolerated them. In fact these demoniacs were fierce and everyone avoided them. But what is puzzling is that after the demons were driven out, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
Why were they not happy with Jesus? Had they not witnessed a miracle? Was it that the status quo had been disrupted? Had evil been allowed to live among them and now the full destructive force of evil destroyed their herd, their livelihood?
Has not the United States told God to leave us alone? “What have you to do with us, Son of God?"
Have we allowed the evil of abortion to become a top law? Have we lost respect for human life, human rights and one another?
We are presently witnessing untold crimes and mass destruction at the hands of people. There is the call to destroy statues in churches.
The statues of St Junipero Serra in California have been desecrated and decapitated. But why?
St Junipero Serra was a Spanish Catholic friar of the Franciscan Order. He founded a mission in Baja California and missions in upper or Alta California. He founded San Diego, San Carlos del Carmel, San Antonio de Padua, San Gabriel, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano and San Buenaventura.
He was known as the Apostle of California. St Junipero was unlike the cruel Spanish soldiers. He was an advocate for the Indians and a champion of human rights. He had deep love for the native people. St Junipero protected the Indians. Many people are not fully informed about this saint and form their views by the evil around them.
Why are all these forces happening and why so much destruction? Where is the outcry that the crimes deserve? Jesus is ready to remove the bonds of boredom, evil, oppression, and laziness if only we ask Him. Persevere in all that is good, and Divine Grace will fall on us.
Be willling to part with anything that might keep you from the love and saving power of God. These are the evil forces that our priests contend with on a daily basis.
Pray that they may find their voice and speak up against the evil of present day and against the evil of abortion.
But to set the priests on fire, PAPA must first set ourselves on fire. Read the PAPA Handbook filled with beautiful teachings and prayers. Fast, pray and sacrifice for needed prayer and reparations for our priests.
God Bless You
