Catching Sight of Jesus

Beads of Joy 02-01-10

Catching Sight of Jesus
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

This was exciting, thrilling, and there was so much joy as the man from Gerasene was healed in front of the disciples. Our dear Lord Jesus has healed yet another demoniac. It's also exciting to read about and study the miracles our Lord has blessed so many with. Today's gospel is Mark 5:1-20 (The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac). As Jesus got out of the boat, there was a man with an unclean spirit who saw Jesus. He was off in the distance catching sight of Jesus, he ran up to Jesus and laid prostrate before Him. There was no doubt that scripture has shown us several times that demons and the devil and unclean spirits are very real. It is also obvious that a demon has the power to enter into a human being.

To me it appears that since the original sin of Adam, man has become subject to satan; and these unclean spirits are the mere fruit of the fall. But I also believe that such demonic possession can't take place without the consent of the will of that person. To some degree you must be open to the way the evil one thinks. Jesus is well aware of the demons presence as well as they are aware of His. Look at this reading where Judas ate and satan entered him, "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him," John 13:27. Judas has been sinning all along very purposefully, so he has been open to the evil one. "But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." John 12:4-6. Let us not sink into the depths of moral depravity. The desires and pleasures of this world will eventually destroy us if we are open to them.

How do we feel? Do we feel driven by anything within us that is beyond our strength to resist? The greatest part about sin and temptation is that our Lord is faithful to us in how we can handle sin. I realize many cannot see why I would say, "the greatest part about sin" but I pray that because of knowing this scripture, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. This scripture is about caution against over confidence. Obviously the further away from sin we try to stay the better it will be. Just think about my blog where I tell the story about the truck driver getting close to the edge of the cliff. If we stay far away from falling into the pit, then we have not opened ourselves to the evil one, making ourselves stronger when we are tempted.

There is no doubt that many were filled with amazement as they saw Jesus heal this man. They witnessed the unclean spirit from the one; who knew who Jesus was and they heard that these unclean spirits knew they were destined to be destroyed. They also heard Jesus simply say "Go!" to the demons as they left the man and entered the swine. We can see that the destruction of the swine was a deserved punishment to the spirits that violated God's laws. What an absolute miracle of power and grace that has taken place on this day. "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12. Let us live a life strong in resistance to sin, the further away we stay from danger; the easier it will be to avoid it. It is best to spend time in prayer as often as you can.

God gives us the strength to resist the evil one. We must stay strong in times of temptation.

It is impossible for a person who prays regularly to remain in serious sin; because the two are incompatible, one or the other will have to be given up.
St. Teresa of Avila


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO