Jesus had shown that all nature and elements were subject to him. Now he wished to show even evil spirits were, too. An opportunity arose when upon landing in Gerasa two men possessed with evil spirits cast themselves at his feet.
One had an “unclean spirit” (Mk 5:2). He was most miserable. Here is portrayed the misery of a slave to the vice of impurity.
“No man could bind him ... for, often bound with fetters and chains, he had burst the chains.” (cf Mk 5:3-4) He was “exceedingly fierce, so none could pass by that way.”
When asked his name, he replied -- “My name is Legion, for we are many. He wore no clothes, was day and night in the mountains, crying, cutting himself with stones.” (cf Lk 8:27)
Jesus, ever compassionate, said loudly: “Go out of the man ...” (Mk 5:13). Driven out, the devils asked to enter a herd of swine feeding nearby. Jesus immediately acceded ... the herd, about two-thousand, violently rushed headlong into the sea and drowned.
Instantly, the demoniac became quiet and gentle as a lamb. The people were astonished to see “him ... sitting, clothed, and well in his wits” (Mk 5:15). Not knowing how to sufficiently express his gratitude, he begs Jesus to take him as his disciple.
Jesus, satisfied with his good intention, bade him -- “Go home and tell your friends the great things the Lord has done for you ...” (Mk 5:19). He left and did what Jesus told him.
The Gerasenes, having lost their herd of swine asked Jesus to “depart from them for they were exceedingly afraid” (Lk 8:37). Jesus punished their selfishness and stupidity by granting their prayer.
An impure man, mad with passion, cares not for his reputation or health. Nothing can control nor restrain him. Not afraid of judgment, he seizes his accomplices or victims.
Thus, it is dangerous to go near or talk with him. Legion, the true name for the vice of impurity, draws an infinite other vices. He is miserable without the will or the power to cure himself.
Let us pray to God that he spare us from the temptations of avarice; and to detach ourselves still more perfectly from all that does not lead to him.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp397-9
Impurity
Immoral indulgence in sexual pleasure such as deliberate sexual arousal, masturbation, fornication, adultery and homosexual actions are all acts of impurity. While excessive emphasis on preserving purity can lead to scrupulosity, however, it should not deter us from appreciating the need for purity.
A philosopher noted how drives for violence and pleasure, particularly sexual pleasure, are closely associated. He argued: one can only restrain a love of violence by also limiting one’s love of pleasure; and living a life of purity.
This view receives support from claims now being made that majority of felons who commit acts of violence also are involved with pornography. There is growing speculation about the role of sexual stimulation through pornography and acts of violence.
Ref: “Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p504
‘Free Us From Evil ...’
As we recite these words from Christ’s prayer, it is very difficult to give them a meaning different from opposition to what is against peace, destroys it, threatens it.
So let us pray: “Free us from war, from hatred, from destruction of human lives! Do not let us slay! Do not permit the use of means which are at the service of death and destruction ... ‘Free us from evil!’”
Father in heaven, Father of life and Giver of peace ... How meaningful are Jesus Christ’s words: “‘Peace’ is my farewell to you, peace is my gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace.” (Jn 14:27)
It is this dimension of peace, the deepest dimension, which Christ alone can give to man. It is fullness of peace rooted in reconciliation with God himself. ...
We implore this peace for the world ... for all men, for all nations, of differing languages, cultures and races. For all continents ... ‘Peace is indispensable.’
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p49
Prayer for Chastity
“My Queen! My Mother! I give myself entirely to thee; and to show my devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, my whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thy own, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession. Amen.” (Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p490)
Prayers for the Sick and Dying
‘Prayer for the Sick’
“ALMIGHTY and eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of them that believe, hear us on behalf of Thy sick servant, N., for whom we implore the aid of Thy pitying mercy, that, with his/her bodily health restored, he/she may give thanks to Thee in Thy church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
‘Prayer for a Sick Person Near Death’
“ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, preserver of souls, Who does correct those whom Thou love and for their amendment tenderly chastise those Whom Thou receive, we call upon Thee, O Lord, to bestow Thy healing, that the soul of Thy servant, at the hour of its departure from the body, may by the hands of Thy holy angels be presented without spot unto Thee. Amen.”
Ref: Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p471
Cheerfulness -- “There are many who feel unhappy, just because they have too much of everything. Christians, if they really behave as God’s children, will suffer discomfort, heat, tiredness, cold ... But they will never lack joy, because that -- all that -- is ordained or permitted by Him who is the source of true happiness.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow,” 82)
Lourdes: The eighth apparition
‘Wednesday.’ In the presence of about three-hundred people Bernadette repeated her usual gestures. Unlike previously, her ecstasy seemed to make her suffer; her face often bore a melancholy expression. At one point, she crawled inside the grotto, bent over, nodded, started crying, then smiling. Finally, she kissed the ground.
Curious, the onlookers begged Bernadette to reveal her experience. The Lady had said, “Pray for the conversion of sinners”; and requested she kiss the ground (“if it wouldn’t bother you”) in penitence for sinners.
Ref: G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p8
• On this day, in the year 591, St Gregory the Great having had the picture of Our Lady, which was painted by St Luke, carried in procession, the plague ceased at Rome. — Balingham on the Calendar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Cessation of a plague in Rome through Mary's intercession (591). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Cessation of a plague in Rome in 591 after Pope St. Gregory led a procession with “Salus Populi Romani”. Rome 591. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Plague in Rome ends after Pope St. Gregory the Great leads procession with a painting by St Luke of Our Lady (591). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Pope Gregory the Great leads a procession in Rome with a painting of Mary, attributed to St Luke; and a plague ends. 591. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Verdelais (France). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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