Homily on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost.
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Mt 8:29
Today we have heard the recount of when Jesus met the two demon-possessed men; cured them and was thrown out of the town by the people.
The very first thing that came to me today upon hearing the Gospel proclamation was - firstly, here we see that Jesus heals to Gentiles. Now we must keep in mind that according to the Jewish law, Gentiles were considered a half-bread; an unclean people. If a Jew so much as brushed against a Gentile, the Jew would have to go to the temple in order to offer the sacrifice of purification - a ritual which consisted of shaving all body hair, washing all clothing and animal sacrifices. It was a no joking matter in those days! Leviticus chapter fourteen - although it refers to a skin disease, however the same purification ritual was preformed in such circumstances.
Having stated thus, our Lord had compassion on the two Gentile men regardless of what the Law of Moses taught; making it clear and evident that He (Jesus) is the fulfilment of the law!
Moreover, Jesus is telling us that our nationality, the colour of our skin, our gender ( Which by the way, there are only 2 genders! MALE which have XY chromosomes & FEMALE which have XX chromosomes) or our status within society have nothing to do with the price of fish - as the old saying goes. Which more or less means that God doesn't care about the sub categories we place upon ourselves! The All-Holy-Trinity loves His sons and daughters; the work of His hands equally! Just as a parent loves all of their children equally never one more than the other! For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16
Lastly, how many times have we prayed for something and we think that God did not deliver on His promise? And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Jn 14:13
Thus, here we have several things to take into account. Firstly, have we asked or have we demanded? Secondly, is what we have asked for beneficial for us or for the persons body or soul. And lastly, will it play a part in the path to our salvation?
God always gives onto His children - blessings beyond comprehension. There is not a day that goes by that He (God) does not provide. However, at times we are so self-obsessed we don't realise that it is only through God, certain things have come to be. We take what we believe are the small things for granted when in actual fact, God has given these things before we ever had the chance to ask for them. And that is still never good enough! We can be overly spoiled little brats at times!
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” Mt 8:30-31
Last weekend I went to the shops with my daughter to buy some food for the week and general necessities. Upon passing the lolly and chocolate isle my daughter asked - "daddy you need to buy me some lollies?" I replied - "you don't need them you have lollies and chips at home".
Well, she wasn't having a bar of that answer. She then threw herself on the floor in front of everyone and carried on like a baboon who had it's banana stolen! I was absolutely embarrassed!
Therefore, sometimes in prayer we are the one who act as my daughter did! We demand, then when we don't get our way we have a hissy-fit.
Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Mt 8:33
In addition, if we ask for earthly riches that are not necessary and will perish, what is the point in that? We should be asking for things that will aid us in our earthly life; which in turn will assist us on the day of judgment. Jesus clearly states - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Mt 6:19-21
Therefore, regarding gratitude a Holy dessert Father from the 5th century in Palestine wrote:
When evening comes, collect your thoughts and ponder over the entire course of the day: observe God's providential care for you; consider the grace He has wrought in you throughout the whole span of the day; consider the rising of the moon, the joy of daylight, all the hours and moments, the divisions of time, the sight of different colours, the beautiful adornment of creation, the course of the sun, the growth of your own stature, how your own person has been protected, consider the blowing of the winds, the ripe and varied fruits, how the elements minister to your comfort, how you have been preserved from accidents, and all the other activities of grace. When you have pondered on all this, wonder of God's love toward you will well up within you, and gratitude for his acts of grace will bubble up inside you. Saint John the Solitude of Jerusalem.
In conclusion, if we strive to live a life of humility in all that we do, we will see that when we pray, our petitions will surly be answered as Jesus promises! Because in humility and sincerity of heart, Jesus is there and will surly grant our (Humble) requests.
Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Mt 8:34-9:1
Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos, Saint John the Solitude and of all the Saint, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen
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