The tragedy of asking some one to leave because of His/Her good deeds

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week -  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 8:28-34*

*First Reading - Gn 21:5, 8-20a*

*The tragedy of asking some one to leave because of His/Her good deeds*

*They begged him to leave their district*

*1) Jesus was asked to leave the District - Why?*

The last sentence of the Gospel, clearly states that the people of the district came to Jesus and asked him to Leave 

There are two things happened

First of all : Herd of swine died, after the demons entered into them 

Secondly : Those two person who were possessed with the demons were set free and now they were normal people 

So Jesus did something good. He set free those who were possessed with the demons 

For doing such a great deed people came and asked Him to leave the district 

*2) People were immersed in their pig business and not the wellbeing of the person*

People saw only profit and their gain 

Here some people lost their business in terms of those pigs. So they saw only their selfish motives and not the wellbeing of the other 

Once one is immered in money and only making profit, he/she does not care about the others or their wellbeing. Only money rules and that becomes everything 

*3) Wellbeing of the others always demands some sacrifice*

One can't think of the  wellbeing of the other without any sacrifice 

Even in the Gospel it is very clear; the casting out demons from those two persons, resulted the death of some pigs. 

Unless people are ready to make that sacrifice, one can't expect the wellbeing of the other 

So *sacrifice* is at the centre of the wellbeing of the other 

*4) The tragedy continues even Today*

When we our society today, this is one of the most tragedies of our time 

Those people who try to do some good work, who try to put some order or bring some discipline, either they are targeted or they are silenced or they are transferred

There are few hands behind these such kinds of nasty things, because their selfish interests are challenged, and their immoral and illegal activities are challenged 

So the people who are doing good, are asked to leave the place 

*5) As Christians, we are witnnesing this fact today, more than ever*

Christianity is known for its good deeds, in terms of service to the marginalized people, health care, and educating the most deprived of the society

For doing such a good and noble tasks, Christian missionaries are targeted, beaten up, asked to vacate the place or to stop the good work 

This is happening all over the world today and in our own surroundings 

So what has happened to Jesus, the same things are happening to their followers too 

*6) What happens when the good work is stopped?*

Stopping the good work is the biggest tragedy of the world today 

As a result, many of the people who could benefit are deprived of the benefits 

As a result the society still remains in the pig business, which ultimately sickens every one 

Even those people who are interested only in selfish motives and try to stop the good work, will not benefit in any way 

Ultimately every one will lose the benefit of the good work, which could have enjoyed by every one 

*7) What about me?*

How do I see the good works by some one else? Do I consider them as threat for my selfish motives? 

Am I ready to sacrifice something for the sake of the wellbeing of the other? 

Have I become responsible any time for stopping the good work in my surroundings? 

How do I cooperate with those who try to do something good in our society? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*