THE “PAGAN TERRITORIES” OF OUR LIVES
Today’s
Gospel episode is a dramatic one, worthy perhaps of being made into a
horror movie replete with computer-generated, 3D special effects. And
yet, for all the gripping suspense and drama, the narrative ends on a
somewhat strange note. When word spread about what had happened
(particularly regarding the herd of swine), the entire town came out to
meet Jesus — but only to beg Him to go away from their neighborhood.
Why so? In the first place, this miracle of demonic expulsion took
place in pagan territory. Biblical geography indicates that the town of
Gadara (the setting of the incident), to the east of the Lake of
Galilee, was an area inhabited by pagans or non-Jews. The herd of pigs
confirms this fact, since pigs were considered as repulsive animals to
Israelites.
Applying it now into our lives, we ask ourselves: Is it possible that
there are certain areas in our lives that are still “pagan territory,”
in the sense that we would rather not have Jesus meddling therein?
Perhaps He intends to purify and liberate us from the demons of our
sinful habits, but we still prefer to bargain with Him. Or also (much
like what we have in the First Reading today, when the prophet Amos
denounces Israel’s noisy feasts and rituals), He wants to purge us from
our proclivity for New Age or neo-pagan beliefs and practices, such as
horoscopes, feng shui, tarot cards, palm reading, and so on. But we
still do
not want to let go of them, unfortunately.
How then can we call ourselves genuine Catholics or Christians if we
are given to such compromises in our faith? For such an authenticity in
our beliefs and behaviors, there is no need for cinematic special
effects. We just have to welcome Christ into our lives and to give
witness to Him in all that we do. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are there some areas in your life that are off limits to Jesus? What are you hiding from Him?
Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to open and surrender my whole life to You.
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