What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?

 

 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a good way off from them was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  And He said to them, "Go."  So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine.  And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.

 

- Matthew 8:28-34 

 

Yesterday we read that, in Capernaum, when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Then another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."  But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."  Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.  And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.  Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us!  We are perishing!"  But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?"  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" 

 

  When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a good way off from them was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  And He said to them, "Go."  So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine.  And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.  My study Bible comments on today's passage that the demons, who recognize Jesus as the Son of God, are surprised that their power is being terminated before the time of the last judgment.  Although their malice is great, they can't do anything against the will of God.  Thus, they can only enter the swine at Christ's command.  Moreover, my study Bible adds, the immediate destruction of the herd reveals that these men had been protected by God's care; without it, they would have perished under the demonic influence.  Additionally, it reinforces that swineherding was not lawful for the Jews.  It shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth every sacrifice. 

 

 This story also appears in the Gospels of St. Mark and St. Luke, but there are a few distinctive differences.  In the story according to Sts. Mark and Luke, there is only one demoniac mentioned, but as there are also more details given to us of his story following his healing, it seems quite possible that those accounts were written about a particular man, while in St. Matthew's Gospel, there are two in need of exorcism.  This is a Gentile region, with a population of mixed Jews and Gentiles, and our story takes place outside of city, in the countryside.  But the people who raise swine are likely Jews who herd and sell swine for a Gentile population, which already tells us something in terms of their adherence to their faith.  Moreover, many sources assure us that such demonic possession is not possible without prior participation in some forms of demonic rituals or practices.  These men live in the tombs among the dead, and so uncleanness is associated with everything in this environment.  It's possible they practice a kind of idolatry; according to at least one Church Father (Chromatius, Bishop of Aquileia, late 4th cent.), this might include venerating the memories of dictators or images of the dead.  All of these are practices forbidden in Judaism.  Over the course of the past few readings we've witnessed Jesus moving to save and heal those who are in some sense unclean, touching the leper to heal him in Saturday's reading, and a willingness to enter the home of the centurion to heal his servant in Monday's reading.  Let us keep in mind also the remarkable story of the journey to get to this place, as Jesus has taken His disciples across a threatening and stormy Sea of Galilee to come here (see yesterday's reading, above).  What it tells us in a nutshell is about the character of Christ, Savior and Redeemer, who will go through any and all lengths required to save what is salvageable.  Of course, this understanding reflects the whole of the story of Christ's Incarnation, and particularly His death on the Cross, and the Resurrection and Ascension that followed.  The fierceness and chaos in these two men reflect the effects of the demonic, the affliction that tears people from civilization and renders them rudderless save for the malice of the demons.  Note that the demons recognize Jesus first, and even indignantly demand to know if He's come to torment them before the time of the Judgment to come.  They know all about Jesus; they know He is the Son of God and call Him so.  Then they bargain before exorcism; they wish Him to send them into the herd of swine, who become suicidal en masse under their influence.  Those who keep the swine flee into the city and tell all to the people.  The whole city returns to beg Jesus to leave their region.  This tells us about an environment as a whole, a people for whom the exorcism of these demons means nothing compared to the loss of their swine.  But again, the stories that appear in the Gospels of St. Mark and St. Luke tell us about one man now freed from demonic possession who will go on to proclaim in the city what great things the Lord has done for him.  Today's story is a kind of reflection of spiritual battle, a picture of Christ -- our ultimate commander and Lord -- who can go into the worst of afflicted environments and yet still command the demons who desire to resist His rule.  He is authority over all; at the conclusion of St. Matthew' Gospel Jesus will declare to the disciples, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (see Matthew 28:18-20).  Clearly we are given to understand that there are no limits to the depth or the breadth of Christ's authority, and this is what St. Matthew's Gospel teaches.  Let us take heed for our faith, and remember that He is with us always, even to the end of the age.

 

 

 

 

 

If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine

 

 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  And He said to them, "Go."  So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine.  And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. 

 

- Matthew 8:28–34 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.  Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Then another if His disciples said to Him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."  But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."  Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.  And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.  Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us!  We are perishing!"  But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?"  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

 

  When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  And He said to them, "Go."  So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine.  And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.  My study Bible comments that the demons, who recognize Jesus as the Son of God, are surprised that their power is being terminated before the time of the last judgment.  Although the malice of the demons is great, they can do nothing against the will of God.  So, therefore, they can only enter the swine at the command of Christ.  The immediate destruction of the herd is evidence that these men had been protected by God's care.  Otherwise, they surely would have perished under this hostile demonic influence.  Also, my study Bible adds, this reinforces that swineherding was not lawful for Jews, and it shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth every sacrifice.  

This story (and the similar stories in Mark and Luke) remind me of the ancient myths found in the Odyssey or the stories of Jason.  The disciples were told by Jesus to set sail across the Sea of Galilee, which immediately plunges them into a kind of frightening adventure, in which they fear they are perishing (see yesterday's reading, above).  All this takes place while Jesus is asleep in the boat, and let us keep in mind that several of these men are seasoned fishermen, whose livelihoods were pursued on the Sea of Galilee.  But then once they arrive at this strange place on the other side of the sea (considered to be east of the Sea of Galilee, and in Gentile territory), they encounter an even stranger and perhaps terrifying sight.  In the Gospels of Saints Mark and Luke, the demon-possessed is a single man, but he is possessed by a legion of demons, and therefore gives his name as Legion.  Here, we are told these are two demon-possessed men who are rendered so exceedingly fierce that no one could pass that way.  Like the stories in Mark and Luke, they live among the tombs in this seemingly forsaken place, as they are out of control and disordered, and so unable to live in community with the living.  This is also Gentile territory, in a place of mixed Gentile and Jewish populations.  So while it might be common to assume the swineherders are Gentiles, it's suggested that possibly it is more likely they are Jews engaged in what for them is a sinful pursuit of raising swine in order to sell to the Gentile market.  Thus, when they beg Christ to leave their territory, they continue in such choices, as their preference is for their swine to the men who are now freed from demonic possession and influence.  In this sense, this story can be viewed as an illustration of the choice between God and mammon; their longing is for the material gain they've lost over the miraculous healing Jesus has effected.  For their focus on the loss of their swine, they are unable to receive Christ and what He offers.  In the stories in Mark and Luke, the healed man seeks to come and follow Jesus and enter into the boat with the disciples.  But Christ sends him back to his home, to tell his friends what great things the Lord has done for him.  Perhaps one important thing we can take away from this story today is noticing the lack of gratitude in these townspeople for the miraculous healing they've witnessed.  It's as if they prefer the demonic influence, which is what they are used to -- even such an influence of violence and destruction that would cause the swine to crash down a cliff into the sea, as well as one that kept these men from being able to dwell among the living and fit only to live among the tombs.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached that we cannot serve God and mammon (riches): "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon" (see this reading).  The Sermon on the Mount was a full teaching on what are the blessings of the Kingdom.  Perhaps in light of this story and that Sermon we have so recently read through, we should consider for ourselves the things for which we're grateful.  Do we value the blessings of the Kingdom?  Or has life taken on for us a supreme importance of material things which we think will make us happy, or give us some kind of status among others that we value?  Is it blessed to please God, do we find joy in that?  Let us consider the choices we have before us, and what real healing and "life" might look like, even when that is contrary to expectations or desires. Sometimes healing means going away from what we know, separating from what we're used to but is not good for us.   We might pause to consider that the word "swine" has often been used as an epithet for a very coarse, brutish, and cruel person.  Such may be fitting company for the demonic, but not for those who love Christ.  Let us also note that in a world permeated with sin and evil, Christ finds us where we are, and works with us where we are.  This is most exemplified in today's reading in the demon-possessed men, for whom Jesus has apparently crossed the Sea of Galilee with His disciples in a threatening storm.  In the other Synoptic Gospels, Jesus gave the now demon-free man a particular job to do, and a place to go (home among his own people).  Let us be assured that even when we need to separate from what we've known, He will find a place among "our" people for us as well (Mark 10:29-30). 

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way

 

 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly, they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  And He said to them, "Go."  So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine.  And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. 

 

- Matthew 8:28–34 

 

Yesterday we read that when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Then another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."  But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."  Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.  And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.  Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us!  We are perishing!"  But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?"  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"   

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.  And suddenly, they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.  So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  And He said to them, "Go."  So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine.  And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.  My study Bible remarks upon today's entire passage that the demons, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, are surprised that their power is being terminated before the time of the last judgment.  Though the malice of the demons is great, they can do nothing against the will of God, and therefore can only enter the swine at the command of Jesus.  This immediate destruction of the herd shows that the men had been protected by God's care.  Otherwise, they would have perished under the cruel demonic influence.  Moreover, it reinforces that swineherding was not lawful for the Jews.  In this light, it shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth  all sacrifices.

The action of the demonic is quite explicit here in the gospels.  There is no other story where perhaps it is as pronounced and clear, and here, we remember, we have a legion of demons (as reported in Mark 5:9).  Let us note one of the first things we learn about these demon-possessed men is that they are exceedingly fierce.   This seems to be a condition of the demonic.  Historically, the demonic has also been associated with death in the image of a large mouth that desires to swallow up human beings.  This comes from very ancient times and ancient gods, but it is nevertheless a telling characteristic that comes to us from history.  Note that the demons are not acting out of ignorance.  They know full well who Jesus is.  They know things that human beings cannot perceive, and they are nevertheless evil and oppressive.  This gives us a hint about the demonic.  These decisions to be evil and to reject Christ are made with a knowledge that human beings don't have, and so the choice for evil is much more far-reaching.  What happens to the swine makes clear the association between the demonic and death, and how destructive they are.  In a modern mind-set, it is the stuff of fantasy stories and spooky horror movies to contemplate demonic evil.  This often falls into categories of lurid and vivid stories about haunted houses and poltergeists.  But if we're looking with eyes that can see, we might be able to spot aspects of demonic behavior around us in the world.  Do you see ruthless and murderous people?  Do people excuse exceptional cruelty, even exulting in such behavior and seeking to publicize it?  Yes, these things are happening in our world, and what we should understand in a historical spiritual mindset is that while we are invited to participate in the life of Christ, through the Church and all the ways the Church can be at work in our lives such as the sacraments, Eucharist, Scriptures, etc.  -- so we can also participate in the energies of the demonic by choosing to engage in behaviors  that follow the life of the demonic.  That would include the  harshness, cruelty, and destructiveness of these demons.  When human beings choose to participate in activities that imitate what we know characterize the demonic, then they are themselves participating in demonic life.  At the risk of saying something controversial, one cannot proclaim that God is great while committing gruesome horrors and filming oneself without indicating clearly which god is being served by such behavior.  If we are to think on spiritual terms, we need to be able to detach ourselves from circumstances and look plainly at what is around us.  We need to make clear choices and watch our own behaviors.  We need to watch our passions and not delve into reactionary fierceness when the scenes of the world dismay us.  Our best weapon in order to carry ourselves well in the world is prayer, but we also need to study and to be aware of all of these things -- and to be aware of ourselves and our impulses.  We can recognize what we see around ourselves.  Christ calls us to watch ourselves.  Let us note that in today's reading that the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and instead of glorifying God for the miraculous healing of this demon-possessed man, they begged Him to depart from their region.  This is a rejection not just of Christ, but of the obvious effects that helped the demon-possessed men.  The townspeople care much more for their swine, their property, and perhaps that also tells us about what we might call an "evil" mindset that sees things only in terms of material value, especially placing it over human health and wholeness.  This kind of exploitative, aggressive perspective, coupled with a seeming incapacity for valuing transcendent good, is also another characteristic of evil in Scripture.  So let us consider all of these things and follow Christ's teachings that we are to be the ones who are watchful.  This teaching is frequently given in conjunction with the theme of end times, but we miss the understanding of the Scriptures if we do not understand that the end times are always with us until the time of His return.  The various things we've been warned about return again and again, recirculate, and come about in new form.  When we see the things that terrify, let us remember that we are taught to "Take heed, watch and pray."  We are not meant to be foolish but alert, and following the Master's commands until His return.