DANGER

HAZARD PERCEPTION REQUIRED

Once the men freed were freed from the demonic entities, the keepers of the swine heard went into their town to tell the people what had occurred and who had freed the possessed. At this, they as a townspeople gathered and went out to seek Jesus, as soon as they came to him they pleased for him to go from their town’s surroundings for they feared that such an occurrence would bring scrutiny upon them. Therefore, Jesus left them via climbing into the boat and left that region until he came upon the shores of his own surroundings. (Mt 8:33-34 9:1)

Again we are confronted with a reality that many either dismiss as nonsense, others allow such to rule the pattern of their existence, and then there are those of us who are aware of such, have the discernment, and capacity via extensive experience to deal with thus accordingly! Having stated thus, for those of you who desire a more intense, scriptural and patristic perspective upon the gospel passage at hand please visit a previous blog of mine entitled: Potentially Blocked!

Furthermore, the time is coming when our new clergy shall commence rendering reflections upon the weekly readings – new blood, new thought but always in line with the apostolic mindset of Christ and his Church! I and the Vicar General shall make a contribution when warranted, but this will be the means of experience and confidence for our new clergy to slowly but surely take the reins and reflect that which they received upon ordination; to teach, preach and embody the apostolic faith!

Although the passage portrays swine which was considered and still is by various groups “unclean” yet it is also a portrayal of that which is unknown, classified in ignorance, and perhaps even discarded due to fear of the social thought pattern of a particular community/culture one finds oneself in! The demoniacs (those possessed) are also a portrayal of what can happen when we tend too or rather live in fear of not allowing ourselves to think outside the box – cult mentalities are a classic example!

For example, how many ancient and modern cultures employ a rather primitive mindset to justify wrongs e.g.: capital punishment! Then there exists a form of penance/payment rather for minor wrongs in the form or torture: an eye for an eye – hands that are too long (steal) are sliced off in certain parts of the globe! Hence, the demons/the unclean or ancient rebellion (fallen powers) that exercise influence over created matter: war is definitely a trademark!!!

Reviewing wars throughout the centuries – lust for power reflected in the destruction of the opponent truly warrants major concern…..the reason why God intervened and immersed himself into the fullness of our existence in becoming Son of Man: Please consult the writings of St. John Damascene who is the par excellence upon the matter! Yet, we don’t listen and like the parable of Poor Lazarus and the Rich Man: “Even if someone were to rise from the dead, they will refuse to listen and believe!” (Lk 16: 30)

Conventional Christianity is dead and buried, yes there is structure, there are clergy and their faithful, but these are crippled spiritually because they have not reached out of their comfort zones and truly contributed SPIRITUALLY which encapsulates the whole persona in the last - let’s say 500 years! Nothing has changed, and less has been achieved! Although we have many holy martyrs who have awoken the conscience of a great number of people - BUT the supposed churches from which those martyrs belong too go back and repeat past mistakes! Look at the imperial churches that resemble a parade of military might - they have no mercy for others let alone for their own people!!! The aim is not to fill the structures of the institution, but to fill the hearts of the people to go beyond their horizons – allowing God to live in their very persona and transmitting that wondrous fact and ability of true communion via the Lord’s own words: “Be not afraid!” (Mt 14:27)

Fear and lack of understanding have always been a recipe for disaster – we only need to look at how Mussolini and many others handled (under pressure) WW2 or the fact of how our own Australian Soldiers (ANZACS) were butchered at Gallipoli due to the lack of understanding from the command!!! However evil (at times due to government politics) tragic and undesired such are, yet there was a factor of honour within these circumstances; now days this does not exist – a common crime yesteryear had very little to no casualties: blood and guts dominate now days!

In actual fact, these realities are reflected or pedalled rather in the social scene of entertainment: most material that comes out of America is nothing but a portrayal of destruction of other with the certainty of collateral damage! Our youth are quasi programmed to have such a mentality of dividing and conquering with such at their disposal – what appears harmless may in actual fact respond as the tool for self-destruction! The Apostle Paul warned his flock yesteryear about the danger of dismissing potential harm without the good sense of discernment: “For this purpose Satan masquerades himself to his former state as an angel of Light!” (2Cor 11:14)

As we approach Holy Nativity (Christmastide) our streets, towns and even cities acquire a face lift of much light, colour and festive décor; the season is proclaimed to be one such of goodwill and perhaps an occasion to which we should go out of our way for others. Yet, the air is tense in the sense of competition, people are on edge in the sense of keeping up appearances’, and Christ is forgotten again, rather become the plastic or plaster figurine kept out of the way in a manger covered up with Hollywood rhetoric!

Sermons upon Isaiah the prophet’s statement: “The people who dwell in darkness have beheld the one who is Light!”(Is 9:2) Is re-echoed, yet we love pulling the blinds down because it’s way too bright and exposes (challenges our state of conscience) us completely! Thus, we either have, supposed churches which are well decorated and proclaim Christ ONLY in word, or there are those who declare that it’s a nice story from long ago which we honour but let’s get on with it!

Yet, what about that which the Lord himself declared to St. Photini/Illuminata (the Samaritan woman) that: “The Father Pantocrator desires believers who are spiritual and truthful!” (Jn 4:23) In other words: When will our hearts truly become his cradle so that he can dwell within and via such grace: others who are so broken and lost may be found again and begin to see amidst the darkness of their sorrows and confusion – made sound and strong once more!???

This reminds me when people from humble beginnings may enter a family (often by marriage) which has a certain status and because of that very fact (their humble beginnings) although excepted are never fully welcomed as a full and true member! Other times, a family of solid and honoured status which may experience hardship in various ways (especially in the financial sphere) is quickly removed/evicted from a circle of honoured society not because of virtue but via/in their (the grand circle’s) eyes – a grand fall from grace! Hence, for the true Christian, the words of the Lord re-echo in the silence: “They will hate you because you render testimony onto me whom they hated from the beginning – stand strong for I am the world’s salvation” (Mt 10:22)

Then the possessed cried out in anxiety: “Why have you come now to impede us from tormenting these? It is not yet time for your kingdom come Son of the Most High!” Near the vicinity of the tombs were some farmers tending to their swineherd. Then the fallen powers pleaded with him saying: “When you cast us out permit us to seize the swineherd!” At such a request he commanded them saying: “Go!” Hence, they withdrew from the men and directly entered into the swine heard! Thus, they unveiled their objective which is death and confused the swine via marching them down a Clift into the sea to which the swine drowned. (Mt 8: 29-32)