In today’s gospel (Mt 8:28-34) we encounter the story of Jesus exorcising two men possessed by demons. It is a familiar story. The demoniacs recognize the nature and authority of Jesus, realizing that he is in total control, they request that they be cast into nearby swine. Jesus complies and apparently the swine have different plans and drown themselves rather than be possessed. Continue reading
The Sunday to come is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The transition of Sunday gospels from the 13th to the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) passes over Matthew 11:1-24 which can be aptly described as the warnings of Matthew 10 coming true. (Note: these verses are read on the 3rd Sunday of Advent) There will indeed be opposition within and from the people of Israel. There have been all manner of opposition alluded to in Matthew’s narrative, e.g., Herod, the devil in the wilderness temptation, persecutions mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount, scribal accusations after healing on the Sabbath, Pharisees condemning Jesus because he ate with sinners and tax collectors, and more. As this chapter unfolds, clear lines of demarcation will be evident between doubt and unbelief on one side and belief on the other. Continue reading
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