Daily Gospel Reflection

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July 5, 2023

Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Mt 8:28-34
Listen to the Audio Version

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

Katie Foy Roussos ’81
Notre Dame Club of Richmond
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I imagine the Gadarenes feared Jesus. They wanted to see Jesus’ miracle, but maybe what Christ’s power entailed was too scary. We, humans, want to control our lives and surroundings. Fear is a powerful emotion, and it often surfaces when we lose the ability to live as we choose. Fear can drive us to make detrimental choices and actions.

I have also wallowed in fear and pity at times. I have cancer. At first, I was fearful, but Saint Padre Pio’s counsel appeared to me when I needed it most. “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”

Now, after six years, I don’t live in fear. I research and advocate for my health. Sometimes I still grasp at other places in my life to have control, such as planning out every detail of an excursion. And of course, I become anxious in those few days waiting for the results of an every three-month CAT scan, informing me whether my rare LMS cancer has returned.

Yes, I did not choose this life experience, but it has helped me learn that my life is a gift. I have mostly learned to accept Jesus’ invitation to change and spread love instead of letting fear or anger rule my life. The 14th-century mystic Julian of Norwich suffered from great illness and found spiritual comfort in God. She wrote of the Lord telling her, “All shall be well.”

Jesus had compassion for the Gadarenes and performed a miracle in their midst, but they were not ready to accept Jesus and instead turned away in fear. Most days, I embrace what comes and Jesus’ invitation to me to dwell in his compassion.

May each of us find the way to embrace Jesus’ gifts in our midst whatever they might be and drop our fears of what that choice might mean.

Prayer

Fr. William Simmons, C.S.C.

Lord and Savior, we know that there are moments when we will be called upon to sacrifice our time, energy, and resources to assist others. Help us to accept with kindness the duty to provide care for those in need. May your example, Lord, inspire us to serve you.

Saint of the Day

St. Elizabeth of Portugal

When she was born and baptized in 1271, Elizabeth of Portugal was named after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and she grew up to emulate her aunt in holiness.

As a child, Elizabeth tried to imitate the virtue she saw in other people. She was known for her prayerfulness, obedience, and service to others.

As a young girl, she was married to the king of Portugal. The king did not match her piety with his own lifestyle, but allowed her whatever freedom she wanted to practice her faith. She consistently prayed at several points during her day, and attended Mass every morning. She was modest in the food she ate and the clothes she wore, and dedicated her life to serving God.

She was especially known for her service to the poor. She ordered people in her kingdom to give food and shelter to anyone they found traveling or living on the road. She, herself, would seek out people living in poverty and would help them in whatever way she could. She gave dowries to poor girls and established a hospital and orphanage. She also founded a home where women could escape exploitation and begin a new life.

Her husband was a considerate and generous ruler, but his personal life was a mess—he was selfish and unfaithful, which caused great scandal. Elizabeth devoted her energy to their two children.

Elizabeth was known as the “peacemaker” because at several points in her life, she brought about reconciliation between men who were competing for power, even between her husband and her son when he had grown. She is known to have averted several wars.

When her husband got sick, she cared for him night and day and helped him die a holy death. Then she went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and spent the rest of her life living near a convent that she founded. She followed the way of St. Francis and lived with great simplicity.

Elizabeth died while traveling to visit rulers in an effort to urge reconciliation. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Elizabeth of Portugal, you were the quintessential peacemaker who averted wars with your faithfulness—pray for us!