Why Did Jesus allow the demons to enter into the herd of Swine

Gospel Thoughts 

13th Week - Wednesday

GOSPEL : Mt 8:28-34

"Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter into herd of Swine" 

1) First of all the demons had occupied the bodies of Human beings

They had made the men extremely violent, so that no one could pass by the tombs.

The demons had also made the humans being to live in the tombs, where only animals live 

2) When Jesus comes to the scene, the demons were terrified

They knew that they will be liable for eternal punishment

The very fact that they recognised Jesus as the "Son of God" they also knew their eternal punishment

The expressions of demons "Have you come here to torment us" and "If you drive us out" show that Jesus had power over demons and demons were terrified at the presence of Jesus

2) Why Jesus allowed the demons  to enter into the herd of pigs? 

First, it resulted in freeing the men from the demons. 

Secondly, pigs were unclean animals under Jewish law, so they were a perfect symbol and a harmless destination for unclean spirits (i.e., demons).

Pigs, of course, were unclean for the Jews (Lev. 11:7–8). 

No Jewish farmer would keep swine, and  Jewish region would tolerate the presence of pigs.

Thirdly 

Jesus’ action also shows the importance of human beings than animals.

Being made in God’s image, we are more important to the Lord than any animal. 

Dr. R.C. Sproul writes in his commentary Mark that the compassion of Jesus “drove Him to destroy the pigs for the sake of one human life. That is how valuable human life is.” For our Creator, one lost person saved is worth the death of many animals.

Along with demons Jesus also destroys the unclean animals and unclean surroundings 

The unclean pigs can be considered in todays context various sinful surroundings or those situations which bring us lots of temptations 

So Jesus destroys the Satan along with its various influences to clean the entire surroundings

So it is very clear why Jesus allowed the demons to get into the herd of pigs 

3) Jesus was not invited to the territory of the Gadarenes. He voluntarily goes there 

Gadarene is the territory of Gentiles. Those who were taking care also were gentiles. So there is a close connection between pigs and gentiles

Jesus not only enters the gentile territory but he also frees the human beings with demons. Thus he also shows that salvation is for all 

4) Demon or the Satan takes away our real original image in which we were created by God 

It makes us to live in the tombs like animals 

We are degraded to the grade of animals by sin or demons 

So be careful about this demons and sins which causes us to suffer terribly

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones 

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

Lord Save us! We are perishing

Gospel Thoughts 

13th Week - Tuesday

Gospel - Matthew 8:23-27

 “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

1) The above sentence is very relevant to our life in the present context

-The violent storm of COVID19 is about to swamp the boat of our life, and we are in great danger

-This is the real situation which we are facing in our lives. So what shall we do? 

2) Let's reflect about todays Gospel which gives us a special hope to face the violent waves of this pandemic.

-First of Jesus was present when the violent storm took place 

-When the storm took place, the disciples first saw the storm and not Jesus

-Since they were focused on storm, they could see nothing else 

-They tried by themselves to bring the situation under control

-They thought that they will be able to handle the situation

Finally they realised that they can't control the situation

Only then they saw Jesus and they cried out for help

3) Today's situation is similar to that of the disciples in the boat 

Jesus is really present among us 

When pandemic started  we thought that we could control it with various measures

- We saw the pandemic and we were frightened about it 

- It really created panic like violent storm in the sea

- The violent storm of the pandemic made us to cry to the Lord saying 

"Lord save us, we are perishing" 

4) Today all of us have realised that the situation is out control 

We are not able to bring it under control by any measure

The only way which is remaining now is to cry to the Lord

To show before the Lord our helplessness

5) The response of Jesus was very quick

-He got up and calmed the sea which was violent

-Things became normal and there was great calm

6) As long as Jesus is with us, nothing can affect us 

We may feel that we are perishing, but the presence of Jesus will give us new Hope 

Even though storm  was very violent it was not beyond the control of Jesus. Like wise even though the pandemic is so violent these days, definitely it not beyond the control of Jesus

7) The cry of the disciples becomes very important in calming the sea by Jesus 

Jesus calms the sea for the sake of His disciples

He calms the sea to save His disciples

He calms the sea because He loved His disciples and He didn't want His disciples to face any danger through this violent storm

8) Our cry during this pandemic becomes very important

Our cry becomes very important in calming the violent waves of COVID19

Because of our cry, Lord will definitely will calm the present situation to save us 

Only one thing that we have to do is 

Cry to the Lord and say

"Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

Rest of the things Jesus will work for us

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones 

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

What people will say about me?

Gospel Thoughts 

 

Mt 16:13-19

 

What people will say about me? 

 

1) This is one of the important questions of our life 

 

-Serious analysis of this question will change our life, our perspectives and our behavior

 

-This is one of the fundamental questions of our life and existence. 

 

2) When the same question was asked by Jesus He got different answers 

 

-Some said John the Baptist

 

Some others said Elijah

 

Others said Jeremiah

 

Still others said one of the great prophets

 

Peter said "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 

Such a beautiful and genuine answers were given by so many people about Jesus 

 

3) Now the question is "What people will say about me?"

 

Will they say I am a #generous man

#service minded person 

#just person

#Truthful person

#humble person

#helpful person

#concerned person

#loving person

#forgiving person 

#supporting person

#jovial person

#smiling person

# cordial person 

#hospital person

#wise person

#knowledgeable person

#Courageous person 

#risk taking person 

#adjustable person

#friendly person 

#trusted person

 

Or will they say 

 

- He is a angry person 

- Selfish person

- Revengeful person 

- Can't relay on person 

- cut throat person 

- jealous person 

- moody person 

- no life in person 

- Gossip monger

- Proud person 

- Cheating person

- Dominating person 

- Miserly person 

- indifferent person 

- Useless person 

- he is a thief

 

4) It is better to get others opinion about our self and behavior

 

Because we can't see our back 

 

We can't see our own mistakes

 

We can't know ourselves fully 

 

On the other hand, there is lot of truth in what others say about my personality

 

Others are like mirrors who are able to show our real nature 

 

Cal I accept the suggestions given by the others about my own self? 

 

If I can, I will be able to change my life. If not, I can't change my life.

 

Choice is mine 

 

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones 

 

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu seminary

Mangalore

The Speciality of One Cup of Cold Water - Mt 10:37-42

Gospel Thoughts

 

Mt 10:37-42

 

The Speciality of One Cup of Cold Water

"Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink will surely not lose his reward.”

 

1) First of all a cup of cold water costs nothing. In terms of money, it does not cost much to offer a cup of cold water

 

Secondly : A cup of cold water can be given by any one. Beginning from a small child, to a elderly person any one can give a cup of cold water 

 

-Thirdly : Offering a cup of water is a small act. It does not require much time, much energy, much effort, much planning, much organisation and much funds 

 

2) Offering a cup of cold water also indicates that 

 

- The good character of the person

 

- The generosity of the person 

 

- The care and concern towards the other

 

-The spirit of the commandment of love your neighbour

 

-The capacity of the person to understand the pain of others 

 

3) Rejecting even to give a cup of cold water indicates that 

 

-Cruelty of the person

 

-Heartlessness of the person 

 

-Mercilessness of the person 

 

-The arrogance and pride of the person 

 

-The height of indifference and carelessness of the person

 

-The poor human relationship 

 

-The self-centeredness of the person 

 

4) Water is also the symbol of life 

 

Giving water means, giving life. Water has the capacity to give life

 

Giving water means giving hope to carry on the mission 

 

-giving water means, filling the person with new energy

 

5) Drinking water is always pure 

 

This purity of water also tells us 

 

To be pure like water. Purity in our thoughts and  deeds. Purity in our sight and in our attitude.

 

Pure in our heart and mind.

 

To be a person who is helpful to others 

 

To be a person who gives life to others 

 

6) Giving a cup of cold water is a simple gesture, which has a deeper meaning for Christian life and mission 

 

Small action, but speaks in volume

 

If I am not able to do this simple gesture, then I can do nothing for Christ 

 

7) Even the gesture is very small, the reward is great 

 

In Gods kingdom small things have great value

 

Only those who are faithful in small things will be faithful in great things 

 

8) By doing this small gesture of charity we lose nothing, but we gain everything. 

 

If so am I ready to give a small cup of cold water to my neighbor? 

 

A cup of cold water may be 

 

A simple smile 

A simple gesture of love 

 

A little service

A word of appreciation

A word of encouragement

A helping hand 

A little sharing  

A word of saying sorry when we are wrong 

Saying a word of Thank You

Saying that "its okay" 

 

Am l ready to give this little cup of cold water to my neighbour? 

 

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones 

 

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore