Pigs and Priorities

In today’s gospel reading, we hear the account of a healing of two possessed men. The scriptures record that Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes. Jesus was met by two men that were possessed by demons. Both cried out when they saw Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of God. The possessing spirits begged Jesus that if He cast them out they could enter the herd of pigs feeding nearby. Jesus commanded the spirits to depart, and the herd of swine ran down into the sea and drowned. The keepers of the pigs panicked and fled to the city to inform the inhabitants what had transpired. Many people came out of the town to where Jesus was and demanded that He leave their region.

At the center of the story is the miracle that transformed the pathetic demon-possessed men into physically and spiritually healthy individuals again. Jesus reveals that the healing of suffering is a primary mission of the Son of God in this world. The greatest contrast in this miraculous event is between the demon possessed men who are saved from the torments of the evil one and the “respectable” people of the town, who want Jesus to leave their coasts.

It is important to understand that the tending of pigs was considered unclean by Mosaic law. So the townsfolk were not angry that Jesus healed the two men; they were angry because Jesus interfered with their profitable business of raising pigs. When Jesus cast the demons into the herd of swine, He tested the values and priorities of the townspeople. When the crowds demanded that Jesus leave their region, they revealed that they valued their profitable pigs more than their suffering neighbors.

Like the townspeople of Gadara, Jesus also tests our priorities, although likely in more subtle ways. How do we respond to opportunities or challenges to help somebody in dire need that would require a true sacrifice of our time and/or finances? Like the townspeople of Gadara, our response demonstrates our priorities. When presented with such a challenge, do we rise to the occasion or do we ask Jesus to leave us alone because we consider our pigs to be more valuable?

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Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

In today’s gospel we heard about how a centurion, a Roman officer, came to the Lord to beseech healing of his beloved servant, who was seriously ill. The Lord replied, “I will come to you and heal your servant,” and the officer said to Him: “My lord, I give orders to my soldiers, and they carry out. You just order and the illness will leave him. ” Such was his belief in the healing power of the Savior. The Lord was surprised by his faith and said to him: “Go, it will be according to your faith.” And while the centurion was going home, his servant was healed.

Every time the Gospel tells that someone addresses the Lord, we can call it a prayer, because prayer is an appeal to the Lord. Very often those who sought the Lord’s help were people that were suffering, sick, or burdened with griefs or ailments; but also there were people who addressed Him in prayer for others.

The Lord performed his first miracle in Cana of Galilee at the request of His Mother. The Virgin Mary asked Him to help friends or relatives when they ran out of wine at a wedding. And we can say that this was the Mother of God’s first intercessory prayer for others. And remember how his friends dismantled the roof and let the paralytic on his stretcher down to the Lord, asking the Lord to heal him. And it is said in the Gospel that “Jesus, seeing their faith” healed him. Also, let us remember the Syrian woman, who begged Our Lord to heal her daughter.

It is very important to pay attention to these prayers for others. The prayers were not focusing on one’s own misfortunes, needs, illnesses, but on the needs, troubles, and illnesses of another person. Intercessory prayer has great power, because in praying for others, our self-love recedes and our kind attitude towards other people comes to the forefront. Therefore, prayer for others is often higher, more dear to the Lord, than prayer for oneself.

Of course, one may ask why is it helpful that someone intercede for us when we can pray for ourselves? Because when one offers a prayer for another in heartfelt love and humility, the intercessor transcends to the throne of God, concomitantly raising the person for whom is being prayed.

Each of you who has prayed for your friends and relatives knows what a great strength is prayer. Sometimes you can feel it when they pray for you. Every day when we stand before the Lord, we firstly pray for His will, and secondly, we pray for others, because there is no greater love than that which passes through prayer. And if we pray for each other, we are closely connected by the grace of God.

And if you see that it is impossible to assuage another’s trouble with a deed or a word, then always remember that intercessory prayer is a firm and reliable support. Pray warmly and fervently for those who are dear to you, and you will see that your prayer will manifest the power of God. If we pray for our loved ones, God will always be with us. The Lord Himself said: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am among them.” Pray for your friends and loved ones, and you will know God’s love.

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