A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist St. Matthew (Mt 8:28-9:1)
When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
So, the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”
And He said to them, “Go.” So, when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea and perished in the water.
Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.
So, He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.
Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, peace to you!
On this Sunday which prepares us to live the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles with a pure and clear heart, we have heard a passage from the Epistle of St Paul the Apostle to the Romans (Rom 10:1-10).
This Epistle, which is a part of Paul’s discourse to the Jews, is important because he exhorts God’s people to understand the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ rather than seeking justice through the works of the law.
Paul begins his speech by affirming his ardent desire and prayer for the salvation of the people of Israel. He acknowledges their religious zeal but explains that it is based on a lack of knowledge of God’s righteousness. Paul affirms that justice can only be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ and his redeeming sacrifice on the cross.
A contrast is drawn between a justice based on the works of the law and a justice based on faith in Christ. Paul argues that the one based on the works of the law is impossible to achieve fully, because it would require a perfect observance of every legal dictate, something that no one can achieve. On the contrary, the justice that comes from faith in Christ is accessible to all, regardless of their status since faith is the key element to receiving salvation.
Paul also cites the importance of the proclamation of the Gospel as a means of attaining faith. He affirms that to believe in Christ and to confess with the mouth that he is the Lord, one must first hear of him. This highlights the importance of the evangelical mission and the proclamation of the good news of the Gospel to all.
Ultimately, this passage invites us to reflect on the nature of justice and how our faith in Christ saves us. It reminds us that it is not through works that we earn salvation, but rather through faith in God and in his work of redemption accomplished in Christ. It also encourages us to live this faith in a concrete way, confessing with our mouth and witnessing our faith to others.
And it is precisely in this search for salvation that today’s Gospel passage finds its place:
The Gospel passage of Matthew of Matthew tells the encounter of Jesus with two demonic men in the Gergesen region. This episode is known as the healing of the demoniacs of Gadara: also called Antioch or Seleucia, it was a semi-autonomous city of the Roman Decapolis.
In the story, Jesus arrives in that region and immediately meets these two men who were possessed by a multitude of demons. These possessors were so violent and dangerous that nobody could get through that road. When Jesus encounters them, the demons recognize his authority and beg not to be tormented before time. Jesus allows them to enter a herd of pigs, which immediately throw themselves into the sea.
Although at a superficial reading it seems that Jesus comes to terms with demons. This concession is a trap that hides the ultimate defeat. The falling of the herd of pigs possessed by demons in the waters of the sea reminds us of the sinking of the pharaoh and his army in the sea (Ex 14:28) and the fall of Satan from heaven (Rev 12:4). But we will come back to this later.
The inhabitants of the city went out to meet Jesus and asked him to leave, because they were afraid. Jesus got on the boat and left, but one of the two demon-possessed men asked him to follow him. Jesus told him to go home and tell everyone what the Lord had done for him.
This passage highlights Jesus’ power and authority over the spiritual world. It shows that Jesus has the power to free people from demonic oppression and restore their lives. In addition, it reflects the reaction of several people to Christ’s work: some are frightened and want to drive him away, while others are ready to follow him and witness the miracles he performed.
Through this episode, Matthew shows us that Jesus is the Lord above all, including the world of demons. It also invites us to reflect on the power of Jesus to change our lives and free ourselves from the shackles of evil. He encourages us to follow him and witness the incredible miracles he performs in our lives.
Dear brothers, I would like to be able to return for a moment to the episode of the demons who, cast out by our Lord Jesus Christ, enter the pigs. This may seem strange and difficult to understand.
However, the Church Fathers offered several interpretations as to why demons were allowed to enter pigs.
One possible explanation is that Jesus allowed demons to enter pigs to prove their true destructive power. The demons, trying to escape their final fate, ask Jesus not to send them into the abyss, but to allow them to enter a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus consents to their request, allowing them to enter the pigs. As a result, the pigs go mad and throw themselves into the sea, dying. This event serves as a miracle demonstrating Christ’s dominance over all demonic forces and his superiority over them.
Another interpretation is that pigs, which were considered unclean animals under Jewish law, may have been used as a symbol of the spiritual and moral situation of people in the Gadara region. The demons, entering the pigs, represent metaphorically the way in which the inhabitants of Gadara had let themselves be possessed and influenced by evil. As a result, the destruction of pigs symbolizes the liberation of people from these evil influences that plagued them.
In patristics, early Christian writers and theologians often focused on the interpretation and analysis of this passage.
Origen (185-254), an important theologian and patristic scholar, interpreted the account of demons entering pigs as an affirmation of their inferior nature to humanity. According to Origen, demons cannot remain in a purely spiritual state, but they need to dwell in a body or in a physical form to exercise their evil power. Entering the pigs, they show their degradation and their inadequacy with respect to human creation, which was made in the image of God:
“The demons, when called by Christ to come out of the bodies of those who were overwhelmed by them, complained of being sent into some inanimate body. Is it out of pity that Christ allowed them to enter those pigs? No, he did not! Rather, he deliberately destroyed a whole lot of filth so that they would not have another chance at damning”. (Origen “Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew”).
Or like Saint John Chrysostom (349-407) who sees in this story an important teaching on the folly and injustice of human greed. According to him, the fact that breeders prefer to worry about their animals rather than the presence of God represents human greed and selfishness. This episode is therefore a warning to avoid attachment to the material aspects of life and focus instead on the search for the kingdom of God:
“He orders the demons to leave, but men do not even ask him to stay with them. And here, really, is how it came about. Jesus was passing by, and the devils feared he might send them into the flames of hell. Therefore, trying to save themselves, they asked not only to be left free, but also to be let dwell there, that is, in the property; because they thought that Jesus would never dare to send them to prison in a inhabited place: instead he sent the devils to hell. And those presumptuous evil spirits have a sense of ownership over a herd of pigs”. (Matthew’s Gospel Homily)
In summary, patristics focuses on the moral and spiritual lesson that we can learn from this passage. It teaches that Jesus has authority over everything, including demons, and that his kingdom is greater than that of evil powers. He invites us to look beyond material things and to seek the kingdom of God, freeing us from human greed and selfishness. Finally, it reminds us that Jesus is the one who can deliver us from spiritual oppression and bring healing to our hearts and our lives.
However, beloved brothers and sisters, this Sunday’s Gospel passage teaches us many important lessons. Here are some of the main ones:
1. Spiritual priority: Jesus clarifies the importance of putting his kingdom above earthly desires and commitments. A man asks Jesus to be able to follow before burying his father, but Jesus answers him that his commitment to his kingdom must come before other duties. This reminds us of the importance of putting our relationship with God first in our lives.
2. Call to follow: Jesus calls his disciples to follow him, but they too must be ready to put their commitment to him above all other priorities. Being disciples of Jesus requires a total commitment and a radical change of life.
3. Jesus’ authority: In the calm storm, Jesus’ disciples were frightened, but Jesus demonstrates his authority over the natural forces and exhorts them to have faith in him even during difficulties. This teaches us that Jesus has the power to resolve and calm the storms we face in life.
4. Jesus heals the sick: The passage describes how Jesus heals many sick people, demonstrating his authority and power as the Son of God. This teaches us that Jesus has the power to heal every disease and invites us to trust in him during times of suffering and infirmity.
5. Forgiveness of sins: Jesus declares that He has the authority to forgive sins, demonstrating that He is the Savior who frees people from the burden of sin and guilt. This reminds us of the importance of seeking Jesus’ forgiveness for our sins and of welcoming his salvation.
In summary, the passage teaches us the importance of putting the kingdom of God first in our lives, of being ready to put our commitment to Jesus above other priorities, of having faith in his power and authority, of seeking his guidance and forgiveness, and to witness his goodness and his love to others through our actions. Just as the Holy Brother Martyrs John and Paul did, whose liturgical memorial is celebrated today.
John and Paul, brothers of blood and Christian faith, are presented in three consecutive reviews of the ‘passio’, which dates back to the fourth century, first as butler and primicerio of Constantine, daughter of Constantine the Emperor; then as soldiers of General Gallicano, to whom they suggested a vote, which obtained the victory of the army over the Scythians finally are mentioned as private citizens, in their home to the Celian, very generous with alms and aid, with the goods received by Constantine.
When Julian, later the Apostate (331-363), ascended the imperial throne in 361, he decided to restore the pagan cult, after denying Christianity, and tried to convince them of his restorative ideas, inviting them to return to court, to collaborate on the project.
The two brothers (who were to enjoy much consideration in Rome) refused the invitation and Julian sent them the head of the Terentian guards, with the order to worship the idol of Jupiter; persisting their refusal, they were seized at home for ten days, to reflect on the consequences of their rejection.
The ‘passio’ continues: the priest Crispo informed of the fact, went with two Christians Crispiniano and Benedetta, to visit them, bringing them Holy Communion and their comfort. After ten days, the commander Terenziano, returned to their home and after three hours of unnecessary threats and flattery, had them beheaded and buried in a pit dug in the same house, spreading the word that they had been exiled.
The priest Crispus and his companions Crispinianus and Benedetta, warned by a vision, went to their tomb to pray, but here they were surprised and killed too. After their death Terentian’s son fell prey to an obsession and shouted that John and Paul tormented him, his father with great concern, led him to the tomb of the two martyrs, where the boy obtained healing.
The miracle caused them both to convert and then they too were martyred. Julian the Apostate’s successor, Emperor Jovian (363-364), abolished the persecution against Christians and appointed Senator Bizante to search for the bodies of the two brothers and once found, had the senator and his son Pannachio erect a basilica above their house: the current Basilica Celimontana in Rome.
Dear friends, let us therefore pray to these holy brothers martyrs so that we can obtain from God, through their intercession together with that of the Blessed and always Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the strength to confess without fear and without hesitation our faith before men despite the various storms of life.
May the Lord bless you and may Our Lady accompany you always!
Archdeacon Michele Alberto Del Duca.
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