A short Reflection for the first day of February 2021. Hebrew 11:32-40; Mk 5:1-20

To cheer up Christians who falter in the faith, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews parades before them a long series of national heroes, such as Gideon, Barac, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel and David and others that he does not name explicitly.

The grace we receive in Christ must suffice us to also become giants in the faith.

In the Gospel, The howls of demons are heard, who recognize Jesus, proclaim his divinity and plead with him not to cast them out. Jesus remains unperturbed: ask their names, and allow them to take refuge in pigs. The precipitation of the pigs to the lake, suggests its return to Satan, king of the abyss. Those present remain overwhelmed with fear and ask Jesus to go away from thier city. This man, possessed by a legion of evil spirits, is for us an example of how Jesus has the power to take us out of captivity and deliver us from eternal death. We also often see people accommodated in the situation of sin, misery, violence and even seem to be familiar with that circumstance. May we never be familiar to any ugly circumstances, but get a solution from Jesus.

Prayer: Oh Lord in this new month, heal everyone so that we may have a life worthy of sons and daughters of God. Amen.

Pax-Peace🙏🏾Happy New Month.

Fr Ralph Jnr James osj.