WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JULY 2, 2025

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

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.

REFLECTION

Today’s gospel left much for me to ponder. It really got me thinking about perspective. The first time reading through today’s gospel, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me because I thought I remembered it differently. I had to look up the different accounts in the Gospels, and that is what got me thinking about perspective. There are so many different perspectives in this story- that of the possessed person, that of the writer, that of Jesus, that of the swineherd, that of the town, that of the swine, and even that of the reader. We are all seeing the same story but through the lens of our own mind, and I think that’s really cool. The main perspective I would like to ponder is that of the town. 

I imagine that the town did not welcome the possessed person, and possibly that they were afraid of him, were uncomfortable around him, or something of the sort. Once he was healed, it is not clear whether he was accepted or not. What was clear, was that the town feared Jesus, the healer. Why did the town fear Jesus? What was it they were afraid of? Did they just need something to be afraid of? Did they not know how to be brave? Did their fear come from that of the swineherd upon seeing all of their swine die? Was it Fear of the Lord, like awe and wonder? Did any of them want Jesus to stay and just did not want to speak up? 

As I ponder these questions, I also wonder what character I am most like in this story. Am I in need of healing like the demoniac? Do I live in fear like the town? Am I like the swineherd who see first hand the mercy of the Lord, but don’t really understand what I am seeing? 

Join me today in praying to have a good perspective, a holy perspective. Pray to be able to see with eyes of faith. To see what Jesus sees, and to grow closer to Him in every way.