https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012924.cfm
Alone and Helpless
People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and they seek a doctor. Others wait until the last minute, and the pain becomes a crisis. Beyond the crisis is someone who finds no relief in anything and becomes a lonely soul. No matter how much family and friends reach out to them, they are alone and helpless.
The man in today’s gospel had a legion of demons inside him. The line caught my attention: “He was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.” Crying out – people suffering from addictions come to mind. Alcohol, drugs, and even physical and mental abuse are cries for help, and the pain of loneliness and helplessness aggravates the pain. So, to dull the pain, they abuse themselves or others with “bad” medicines (drugs, etc.) that feed their illness.
It is easy to recognize this behavior in someone else and not so easy to acknowledge the pain that never goes away in ourselves. It, too, is followed by behaviors that are not healthy for us and others.
A doctor or a priest visit can help us come to terms with our difficulties. Jesus is in that doctor or priest you visit, waiting to fill your loneliness with His love for you and people who genuinely love you. The merciful love of Jesus unbinds the shackles in our minds and hearts as He did with the man possessed by a legion of demons.
Gospel Challenge:
Call that doctor, a counselor, or a priest. If you are a victim of abuse, you must also make a call. Everything created, good and bad, submits to the merciful love of Jesus. “They (the people) caught sight of the man possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind.”
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com
