Hope for Something Better

In the Gospel we hear of a man who was possessed by demons that drove him into the wilderness. We know from the Gospel also that this man had many demons that would regularly torture him and leave him naked and alone among the tombs. We also know that this man’s condition had lasted a long time.

How can we in 2011 bring some connection to this story? First we must ask ourselves, are there any demons or forces that in effect torture us by causing us to live alone and isolated from our friends and family? Do we find ourselves driven by forces that seem to control us beyond our wishes? Do we feel at times that we are being held down by struggles that don’t allow us to recognize the beauty and hope of every day? If not for a long time, have we ever felt this even once in our life? We all struggle at some level. So how can the Gospel give us hope for a better life? You may just think the Gospel is filled with commandments from God and the Church is always “laying down the law” telling us how to live.

This Gospel is just the thing we need! Hope comes from knowing there is a better life ahead. Three words should comfort us in this story, “He permitted them.” (Luke 8.32) The demons couldn’t even enter the swine without permission from God. Even though the demons had possessed this man for so many years, at God’s commandment they left him and he was found “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.” (Luke 8.35)

In spite of the demons the man found the strength to approach Jesus. (Luke 8.27) To be healed by God all that is needed is for us to search our heart and choose to let God in and the demons out. We just need to approach Him. God will take care of the rest. Then once we are healed we can follow this man’s example when “he went his way and proclaimed to the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8.39)