As is often the case, the “good news” of today’s readings is packaged in what may appear to be extraneous information. It always takes me a certain amount of unwrapping to get to the gift! However there were, for me, three hints: “Loyalty,” mentioned in the first sentence of the first reading, “unclean spirits” and “family” mentioned in the second reading. As a mother I am always on the lookout for the mention of family in scripture.
The first and foremost message of God to the Israelites and to us is that He is the only God. If I truly believe this and am loyal and living accordingly, then the other laws and commandments fall into place and I find my life in harmony. The second reading is a vivid description of a life, my life, when in chaos. The man is completely controlled by the “unclean spirit.” The gentle Jesus disembarks from the boat and calmly heals the man. The “unclean spirits” are cast into a herd of 2,000 swine which then go “rushing down the bluff into the lake.” Picture that! The contrast is startling. Jesus is calm, serene and gentle. The unclean, sinful man is, as we would say, out of control, and the swine stampede off the bluff. The power and control of sin versus the gentle strength of the Lord.
What is it in my life that draws my loyalty away from Jesus? What I found to be true is that what tends to distract me are the blessings in my life - my health, my focus on ME, or money, or my things, or my job, or my studies, or being the best, or needy. Sometimes it is even my vocation, my children or husband. I have learned to recognize that even my husband and children can at times take on exaggerated importance relevant to my relationship to the Father. In praying these passages I was overcome with the image of my own “unclean spirits” as overtaking the fish in an aquarium. I imagined the placid environment of an aquarium churning with my “unclean spirits”!
Family is central to the man’s healing. Jesus tells him “go home to your family.” I think we are being reminded that it is only within our families, our work and neighborhood and faith communities that we live out our cure. Family is all those whom we love and who have loved us. Family is those we touch daily at home, work, and play. Family is the newcomer on our block, the poor and the sick of our community.
And the good news for me is that Jesus who loved the unclean man and cured him, loves me - and will cure me as well.
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
