Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 5th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 4, 2023
I must apologise for the lack of a message of substance today, but sadly, yesterday evening, I fell asleep sitting at my desk in front of the office computer and when I woke up it was too late to start thinking about what to write. You could say that I got off lightly, as the passage I had before me was today’s Gospel from Matthew, (Mt 8: 28-34), the episode of the demoniacs and the Gadarene swine. Here it is.
“When Jesus reached the country of the Gadarenes on the other side of the lake, two demoniacs came towards him out of the tombs – creatures so fierce that no one could pass that way. They stood there shouting, ‘What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the time?’ Now some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding, and the devils pleaded with Jesus, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go then’, and they came out and made for the pigs; and at that the whole herd charged down the cliff into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off and made for the town, where they told the whole story, including what had happened to the demoniacs. At this the whole town set out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw him, they implored him to leave the neighbourhood.”
I have always felt sorry for the pigs, who are lovely creatures and make excellent pets. I have often wondered how these pigs came to drown, as pigs can swim. What would have been the effect of pollution on the water had a large herd of pigs drown in the lake? I wonder if the details, though colourful, really matter at all and the story is simply one that exemplifies the power of Jesus over evil spirits and specifically over people possessed by demons. Jesus possesses God’s power to liberate those who are held as slaves to demonic spirits. We ask Jesus today to free us from all that is evil and sinful.
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