First reading Genesis 21:5,8-20
Hagar and Ishmael, expelled for Sarah’s sake, saved by the Lord
Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham gave a great banquet on the day Isaac was weaned. Now Sarah watched the son that Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. ‘Drive away that slave-girl and her son,’ she said to Abraham; ‘this slave-girl’s son is not to share the inheritance with my son Isaac.’ This greatly distressed Abraham because of his son, but God said to him, ‘Do not distress yourself on account of the boy and your slave-girl. Grant Sarah all she asks of you, for it is through Isaac that your name will be carried on. But the slave-girl’s son I will also make into a nation, for he is your child too.’ Rising early next morning Abraham took some bread and a skin of water and, giving them to Hagar, he put the child on her shoulder and sent her away.
She wandered off into the wilderness of Beersheba. When the skin of water was finished she abandoned the child under a bush. Then she went and sat down at a distance, about a bowshot away, saying to herself, ‘I cannot see the child die.’ So she sat at a distance; and the child wailed and wept.
But God heard the boy wailing, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. ‘What is wrong, Hagar?’ he asked. ‘Do not be afraid, for God has heard the boy’s cry where he lies. Come, pick up the boy and hold him safe, for I will make him into a great nation.’ Then God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well, so she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy. He grew up and made his home in the wilderness, and he became a bowman.
Responsorial Psalm 33(34):7-8,10-13
This poor man called; the Lord heard him.
This poor man called, the Lord heard him
and rescued him from all his distress.
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
This poor man called; the Lord heard him.
Revere the Lord, you his saints.
They lack nothing, those who revere him.
Strong lions suffer want and go hungry
but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.
This poor man called; the Lord heard him.
Come, children, and hear me
that I may teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is he who longs for life
and many days, to enjoy his prosperity?
This poor man called; the Lord heard him.
Gospel Matthew 8:28-34
The Gadarene swine
When Jesus reached the country of the Gadarenes on the other side of the lake, two demoniacs came towards him out of the tombs – creatures so fierce that no one could pass that way. They stood there shouting, ‘What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the time?’ Now some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding, and the devils pleaded with Jesus, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go then’, and they came out and made for the pigs; and at that the whole herd charged down the cliff into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off and made for the town, where they told the whole story, including what had happened to the demoniacs. At this the whole town set out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw him they implored him to leave the neighbourhood.
___________________________________________
The healing of the two men in Gadarenes
Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ arrival in the region of Gadara, where He encountered two men possessed by demons. The demons recognised Jesus and begged Him to send them into a herd of pigs. Jesus granted their request because He aimed to liberate the two men so they could experience the fullness of life to which they are called as children of God. Today, Jesus wants us to know He wants to meet us where we are, even in our messy lives and darkest moments. All He desires is for us to allow Him to love us and embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation He offers. Let us not be afraid of Jesus; instead, let us trust that He is always working in us and through us for our good.
The townspeople pleaded with Jesus to leave after witnessing what had happened, rather than celebrating the healing of the two men. They were so overwhelmed by the loss of the pigs that they could not find joy in the presence of Jesus or the good deed that He had done. What about us? We can be so preoccupied with our problems that we fail to see Jesus’ presence among us. Today, let us ask Jesus to have the faith to see Him and His loving actions in and around us.
Reflective question:
What is Jesus’ message to me in this time of prayer?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
