Word to the Wise
Monday, January 29, 2024 - Monday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Sam 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 and Mark 5:1-20]As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you." [Mark]
The colorful story of the encounter between Jesus and the Gerasene demoniac makes three points. The first is that Jesus is more powerful than the most powerful demons. The second is that Jesus' miracles do not always bring about faith. The reaction to his exorcism of the demon(s?) was one of fear and the townspeople beg Jesus to leave their area! The third is that discipleship does not always mean dropping everything and going with Jesus. In today's story, instead of letting the man come with him, Jesus tells the former demoniac to go home and tell his family and others about what has been done for him. This third point is one that I have encountered in my pastoral experience and want to comment about today.
In my years as a campus minister, I have met students who have had a powerful experience at a retreat or other gathering or joined a faith group of some kind and feel that God is calling them to missionary work outside their culture, or family. It is hard to convince them that their "mission" might just be to continue where they are and bear witness to family or fellow students! The "day in and day out" challenge of Christian life requires a steady commitment that is noble in itself. Elsewhere, in the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God being like leavening yeast in bread. [Matt. 13:33]. What may seem mundane to an idealistically motivated person might require a lot more "missionary effort" than they realize. Jesus' challenge to the demoniac is to do exactly that. The preaching of the gospel requires many different kinds of discipleship. Careful discernment must be added to idealistic motives to produce effective discipleship! AMEN