Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

I was talking to a farmer friend who said that his dad had a saying that he frequently used when taking care of livestock, which certainly has its challenges and frustrations. He would say: “As long as it stays at the barn!” It was a reminder that working with animals was a way of life and a way to earn a living, but what mattered most was not his work in or around the barn. His house and family are far more important.

In the Gospel, two thousand swine rushed down a steep bank into the sea and were drowned. Two thousand pigs—that would have been a substantial material or financial loss to the Gentiles who owned them. At first glance, to drive the unclean spirit into the swine even seems careless and inconsiderate of Jesus. We can even understand the reaction of those who witnessed the incident, begging Jesus to leave their district.

But, we must remember the man afflicted with the unclean spirit—a man who desired deliverance was set free. Shackles and chains could not help this man—no human effort was strong enough. Nothing could subdue him but an encounter with Jesus Christ.

We need to remember this truth: God doesn’t count the cost of what is required to bring us freedom. He spares no expense when it comes to the human person! “He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will He not also give us everything else along with Him?”

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB