After Jesus drove the unclean spirits out of the demoniac and into the swine, the townfolk begged Jesus to go away (Mk 5:17). The people preferred to live with a legion of demons rather than with the Lord. At least they could eat pork chops, bacon, and ham while being oppressed by demons.
Jesus left the district, as the people requested. However, by declining the request of the former demoniac to accompany Him, Jesus made sure that His truth, power, and love would stay in the area through the new life of the former demoniac (Mk 5:19).
We have many places, businesses, cities, nations, families, and even churches where Jesus has been told to go away. As requested, Jesus left. However, He also has left us behind. We live in these cities and families. We work in these businesses and churches. Jesus is still present through us, the members of His body. We are to be "other Christs" in the Christ-less situations of our society. We are to be sacraments, signs of Christ's presence. We are to be walking tabernacles, invading the secular world by carrying within us God's presence.
Satan showed his presence through a herd of pigs; may the Lord show His presence through us.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be a walking tabernacle (see 1 Cor 3:16). |
| PROMISE: | "Women received back their dead through resurrection." –Heb 11:35 |
| PRAISE: | St. John used whatever he could to reach young people with the gospel. Many of the young boys to whom John Bosco ministered went on to become priests. One, Dominic Savio, even became a canonized saint. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College