GOSPEL POWER | JUNE 30, 2021 | WEDNESDAY | The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, St Paul the Apostle 13th Week in Ordinary Time 

Gospel: Mt 8: 28 – 34

When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Reflection

Jesus was sent into the world to save, not to torment or  destroy. The Sender, whom Jesus calls “Father,” is God  the Creator who loves all his creatures, including those who  refuse to submit to his dominion. Only intelligent creatures — like  evil spirits and unenlightened human beings — rebel against the  Creator. But even the demons in today’s Gospel recognize that there  is an appointed time when God will deal definitively with rebellious  creatures like them. Saint Paul gives us a glimpse of the mystery  when he writes in 1 Cor 15:28 — When all things are subjected to him,  then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things  in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. Saint Paul does  not objectify the mystery, but simply invites us to bow in reverence  and trust God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, like Saint Paul, we want to believe that God’s love will  prevail in the end. Amen