Wednesday 13th week in ordinary time
"Mt 8:28-34"
And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
It's a very sad ending, isn't it? We read that the whole city came out to find You. That's not new. We are used to that (people coming to see You); however, this time when they saw You, they begged You "to leave their neighbourhood." I can't believe it! These people saw the miracle: You, Lord, had healed two men who were "infested" with devils and were now safe and sound; but these people just didn't care. They were more concerned about their swine than the two healed men.
They have put all their heart into their pigs and forgotten to put it into their God. Of course, today not many people have swine, but they have other things to set their hearts on. When they go on holiday they may be more worried about finding a WiFi signal than about finding a church and checking out local Mass times.
In 1852 St John Mary Vianney met François Dorel walking his beautiful dog in the streets of Ars. He was a plasterer who found it 'hard' to go to Mass because of frequent duck-hunting trips. The holy priest spotted him and told him, "It is greatly to be wished that your soul was as beautiful as your dog." The hunter got hunted: The following year that man became a monk! You see? Some people care more about their DOG than about their GOD. Some care more about their tablet, or phone or computer... And God is asking for our attention. Sometimes we ask Him to leave, like a beggar, like a street dog... But God always comes back! Mary, my Mother, if a friend or family member seems to be putting 'things' before God, help me to do them a big favour by pointing it out, gently, like St John Mary Vianney.
