MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (Year I)

First Reading: Heb 11:32-40; Psalm: 31 R. v. 25; Gospel: Mk 5:1-20

THE POWER OF DIVINE PRESENCE

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Jesus Talking with the Gerasene Demoniac vintage illustration.

“. . . for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him.” (Mk 5:4).

Prior to the demoniac’s encounter with Jesus, he was a man beyond the control of any earthly force. He had been chained and he wrenched them apart. He was so powerful and destructive and had to live among the tombs. The demon in him separated him from his people and made him to live as though he was dead. This is the plan of the Devil. He always seeks to destroy those he possesses. But Jesus could not allow this because it was for this reason he came – to destroy the works of the Devil. Although the families of this possessed man gave up on him; Jesus did not.

This demoniac who was so powerful, impossible to subdue, and feared by the people suddenly became powerless before Jesus. Immediately he saw Jesus from afar; firstly, he ran towards Jesus. Secondly, he worshipped Jesus. And thirdly, he cried out asking Jesus to spare him. The presence of Jesus alone tormented the demon in him who trembled asking for mercy. Darkness will always succumb to Light. Because when the light shines, darkness is completely expelled.

The presence of Jesus guarantees our safety. And we must understand that Jesus is not far from us as thought by many. Jesus in fact lives in us. We became his own when he adopted us through baptism. And he lives in us as he nourishes us with his body and blood. We must not forget that this divine presence in us is a weapon of warfare against the Devil. 1John 4:4 reminds us that ‘he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.’ And we can leverage on the power of this divine presence through prayer. To every true believer; faith in Jesus plus prayer is a strong weapon against the Evil one.  

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, conquer every fear in us and increase our faith in the power of your name. Amen.

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