Fifth Sunday of Matthew
The healing of the two demonic
The event of the healing of the two demonic, who lived in the cemetery, outside of the village of Gadarenon, is narrated by St. Matthew the Evangelist. These were a threat to the passing travelers. As they saw Christ, they cried out: “What do you have with us, Jesus, Son of God? You have come here before the time to make us suffer?” These words were said not by the men, but by the demons, and they begged Christ if He would cast them out, to allow them to enter into the herb of swine which were nearby. “Go”, Jesus says, and immediately the demons left the two men and went into the swine, and the whole herb fell into the sea and drowned. Then, those who saw returned to the village and informed what took place. All the people of that village went out and asked Christ to depart from their region.
This Gospel reading has two paradoxes and contrary events. On the one hand, the demons recognize the divinity of Jesus Christ and they request to show mercy, whereas, on the other hand, the villagers refuse to accept Him. The demons could not acknowledge that they had before them the Son and Word of God, thus they beseech Him not to send them into the eternal darkness, but to allow them to enter into the herb of swine. They beseech Him because they have no authority over Creation, nor any authority over men, unless God Himself allows them. Thus, Christ allows them, to teach everyone that where the demons act, the results are catastrophic and mortal and for the soul and the body.
On the other hand, although the divinity of Jesus was revealed, although the miracle of the healing of the demoniacs took place, the people instead of accepting Christ, as the Samaritans have done, asked Him to depart from their region. Instead of asking to assist them in healing all their ill, they ask Him to depart immediately. Their reaction can only be interpreted as spiritual blindness. Although they before them the miracle, they are unable to believe in Christ. They were more concerned for the loss of herb of swine rather than repenting. They proved that although they were not possessed by demons, yet, they took sides with the acts of darkness. They partake in sin and they do not desire their spiritual healing, nor do they change their sinful way of life. For, if they had accepted Christ in their village, they would have accepted Him into their hearts, and consequently they had to repent and follow the Teachings of His Gospel.
The example of the Gadarenees should not surprise us. We frequently hear people around us say: “If I don’t see a miracle, I will not believe”! They seek an excuse for their disbelief. Although a miracle requires faith, as we see this in all Christ’s miracles, we have circumstances, in which it is realized to strengthen their faith. Unfortunately, although a miracle takes place in their lives, they remain unfaithful, because they do not wish to change their sinful way of life. For this reason, because they cannot find any other excuse, they renounce Christ and they exile Him from their lives.
But, in our daily Christian life, we create in our environment reasons to prevent Christ from entering our hearts, work, families, and neighbors. This is one of the great temptations of our times, to consider our religious education ending in Church, or when we stop praying. And as other Gadareneens, we act as though God is absent!
Let us present ourselves before God and glorify Him by receiving Him with all our hearts, and not to imitate the unfaithful villagers of today’s Gospel.
By Fr. Cheroubim Beletzas