Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 30, 2021
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
C.S. Lewis said, “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth, only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”
In today’s reading, we hear about demons tormenting two people into a life of exile among the tombs who then flee when they encounter the power of God. With a simple command, Jesus cast the demons out and into the swine and the sea’s abyss. Upon witnessing Christ’s dominion over the spirit world, the Gadarenes were overwhelmed not with new and abiding faith, but like the demons, turned from him in fear and pushed him away. Rather than opening their hearts to the transformational power of Jesus, they choose instead to return to the status quo and go back to their lives, unchanged.
It is hard to imagine seeing the power of Christ in person and choosing to rebuke him and run him out of town. But there is comfort in the known, the familiar, and the idea of leaving behind that which is familiar—a job that provides financial security despite pulling you away from time with your children and family, a friendship that provides respite from loneliness despite being toxic and abusive—can be difficult and uncomfortable. Because of the fear of the unknown, we sometimes cling to these familiar demons, rather than trusting in Christ’s power to deliver us from them.
It can be challenging to choose faith over comfort, to answer Jesus’ call to faithfulness, and we sometimes fail to meet his call. Devotion to Christ is not always comfortable, and he tells us that we should not expect it to be. When we fail to follow him, though, we risk trading temporary comfort for eternal suffering.
When we meet the power of Christ in our lives, how can we have the courage to follow him and allow him to lead us to eternal life?
Prayer
God, source of life, help us to live in your peace. May we be your healing presence for those who are suffering, your welcoming presence to those who are strangers. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Emma was St. Emma, also known as Emma of Lesum or Emma of Stiepel, and the city she lived in is now called Bremen.
Born in the early eleventh century, Emma was a Saxon princess, descended from the Saxon King Widuking who fought against Charlemagne.
Emma was married off to a wealthy Saxon count. But, soon after their marriage, her husband journeyed to Russia and died. Emma returned to her father's house. Emma had been a headstrong young woman and wife. After her husband's death, however, she developed a new contemplative spirit and devoted herself to good works.
Emma used her family's good standing and wealth to care for the Church, particularly the poor. Her fortune helped construct the Bremen Cathedral, and, more importantly, was used to give life to many of the peasants and destitute in her city.
Legend has it that, after she died, her entire body turned to dust, except for her right hand, which she had used to bestow charity upon the poor. The relic of her hand became an object of much medieval devotion, as Emma lived the truth that those who care for God's chosen—the poor—will receive treasure in heaven.
St. Emma, noble Christian who cared for the poor with your great wealth—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Emma is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed March 11, 2025.