"But he would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."
Mark 5:19
This Gospel reading can seem scary and unrelatable to many because it is not all that common to us that we need an exorcism. However, I was drawn to the fact that the man was actively trying to get in the boat with Jesus while the rest of the town was driving him out. It may seem that Jesus was being callous or mean by not letting him on the boat, but the truth was there was important work to be done in this man’s village. For those of us who have experienced powerful healings and conversions in our life, it is imperative that we make this known to our loved ones. A conversion of heart is a miracle that is worth proclaiming as a witness to the love that our God has for us. While I am sad that the man in today’s passage could not get in the boat with Jesus, I imagine that he worked miracles as well by witnessing to his loved ones. It is not about always about going and doing big things somewhere else. The Lord desires us to do big things with great love right where we are. Bloom where you’re planted.
How can I proclaim Jesus' love to me to those in my home community?
Jesus, heal us and give us the courage to witness to your goodness.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Nicholas Gunn
Did you know...
Nicholas Gunn is a seminarian for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. His home parish is Our Lady of Lourdes in Dunedin. He enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, video games, theater, stand-up comedy, and spending time with loved ones. He is an avid football fan, and while he loves the Bucs, the New York Giants are his team of choice.
