February 3, 2020
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
San Blas, Obispo at Martir—Opsiyonal na Paggunita
San Ansgar, Obispo—Opsiyonal na Paggunita
Nang makalapit sila kay Hesus, nakita nila ang lalaking dating sinasapian ng Lehiyon, nakaupo roon, nakadamit at nasa matinong pag-iisip. At sila ay sinidlan ng takot. Marcos 5:15
This short passage comes after a very dramatic story. A young man, who lives out among the tombs, is fully possessed by many demons. The demons identify themselves as “Legion” stating that there are many of them. It’s clear from the story that this man is wild, out of his mind, and fully under the control of these demons.
As the story goes on, Jesus addresses the demons, rebukes them, and casts them out, sending them into a herd of swine. The swine go running down a slope and drown in the lake. Afterwards, the man is totally transformed as he sits there conversing with others.
One interesting thing to note in this story is that, when the townspeople came out and saw this man sitting there “in his right mind,” they are shocked and are “seized with fear.” They do not know what to think about this situation. Why is that?
Perhaps there are a number of reasons. Let’s look at one of them. This young man was so dysfunctional, being possessed by a legion of demons, that the townspeople had written him off. They gave up on him and most likely wanted nothing to do with him. They were afraid of him. But when they see this man completely transformed, sitting there looking normal and rational, the people don’t know what to think. They are shocked. And their shock takes on a form of fear in that they are afraid of what they do not understand.
May mahalagang ipinakikita ito sa atin. Ipinakikita nito na kung hindi natin nauunawaan ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos, matatakot tayo sa Kanyang kapangyarihan kapag naharap tayo rito. Dapat sana ay napuspos ng malaking kagalakan at pananabik ang mga taong-bayan dahil sa ganap na pagbabago ng lalaking ito. Ngunit sa halip na malaking kagalakan at pananabik, takot ang nadama nila. Natakot sila dahil hindi nila nauunawaan ang walang-hanggang kapangyarihan ng Diyos.
Pagnilayan mo ngayon ang kapangyarihan at kaluwalhatian ng Diyos. Nais Niyang gumawa ng mga dakilang bagay at magdulot ng ganap na pagbabago sa iyong buhay. Nais Niyang palayasin ang masamang nagkukubli sa ating mundo at sa halip ay pairalin ang Kanyang awa at kapayapaan. Habang pinagninilayan mo ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos, buksan mo ang iyong sarili upang mas malinaw mo Siyang maunawaan. Kung nauunawaan mo Siya, higit kang magiging handang magalak sa Kanyang mabubuting gawa.
Lord, I rejoice in Your almighty power. I rejoice in Your greatness and glory. Help me to see the many ways that You are at work in our world and in the lives of those around me. As I see Your transforming power at work, fill my heart with gratitude for all that You do. Jesus, I trust in You.
Higit pang mga Pagninilay sa Ebanghelyo
Mga Pagninilay sa Inaawit na Awa ng Diyos
