In the eighth chapter of Matthew, Jesus performs a series of miracles that definitively attest to his ultimate Lordship. Jesus shows his power over illness by curing a leper, the centurion’s slave and a multitude at Peter’s house. Then, when the boat Jesus and the apostles are traveling in is threatened by a windstorm, Jesus calms the seas with a simple word. Jesus’ final act in the chapter, and the reading for today’s Gospel, is the most psychologically compelling. Jesus confronts ultimate evil in the possession of the two demoniacs from the territory of the Gadarenes.
As with physical infirmity and with the natural order, Jesus’ power over the devil is shown to be absolute and total. The demons tormenting the two unfortunate souls from Gadara shriek in instant recognition of Jesus and his mastery. They beg for a measure of clemency in the chance to enter a nearby herd of swine. When Jesus complies with their request they provide a graphic example of the disorder and chaos of evil by hurling the swine down a cliff and to their death in the sea. Deprived of their evil desire to torment humans, the only alternative the demons saw for themselves was destruction.
Reactions
A parallel narrative runs through these short vignettes of Jesus’ power: the reactions of his apostles and the onlookers. These reactions range from amazement in His own disciples to a steadfast show of faith from the unlikeliest of sources – a Roman centurion. The reaction of the townspeople of Gadara upon hearing of Jesus’ miraculous curing of the two demoniacs takes the form of the other pervasive Gospel reaction to Jesus: fear. “Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood” Mt 8:34.
Gadara was a Gentile city. Its inhabitants lacked the Jewish context for Jesus’ words and actions. Still, they had witnessed Jesus’ power for good. Two of their fellows who had been so raving mad that they demolished the area surrounding the tombs had been made well. Nevertheless, the townspeople put aside Jesus’ healing acts. They turned from His imploring face which was there in front of them. Jesus upset their established order. They beg Him to leave so they can quickly return to their former ways.
The Centurion
What a contrast to the faith of the centurion! With no more context than the Gadarenes, the centurion humbly and unreservedly accepts the Lordship of Jesus. And where does that leave us?
In this chapter Jesus unequivocally tells us that our fidelity to God comes before all other concerns – before possessions, comfort and even before family. In our own lives do we see how God demonstrates His power? This does not mean that we will always enjoy health or that the disorder of evil will never touch our lives. It does mean that our first reaction to all that happens – good or bad – must be to discern the will of God.
Jesus will not force himself into our lives. If we are listening and building a relationship with Jesus as we would with a friend, we will see when He acts in our lives. Then, like the Gadarenes, we will look into His eyes and have a choice. Will we beg Him to depart, or invite Him in?
[Readings: Gn 21:5, 8-20a; Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Mt 8:28-34]
