This Gospel offers so many different directions in which to go that it's tough picking just one. In light of the events of early this past Sunday morning in Orlando a focus on evil would make perfect sense.
Then again, the image of a herd of pigs rushing headlong over a cliff to their death simply befuddles me and forces me to ask why that had to happen.
There are other images as well; the demoniac chained to the rocks when things got really bad even though that didn't seem to contain him. The fear in the people's faces and eyes that Jesus had the power to do what he did.
The sheer number of demons in the man and then in the swine and then the swineherds running to town to tell everyone what Jesus had done. The list is seemingly endless!
Yet, for the moment, let's talk Jesus and what he does. He crosses the sea from the land of the Jews to the home of the Gentiles, not a very welcome place for him. He travels to find this man in the tombs, living among dead people. He approaches him and ultimately drives out the demon, freeing this man from all that had assailed, assaulted and separated him from society. David Lose, in his weekly "In the Meanwhile..." suggests This is, in short, the very last place Jesus should be.
"Which, when you think about it, is where God usually shows up. At our moments of profound doubt, grief, loss, and defeat. And - and this is the one that often surprises us - among those who may to this point have little interest in, let alone relationship with, God." - David Lose
Isn't it true that when we seem furthest from God or God from us that God shows up? When we are in deep despair and riddled with concern, God is present. When we need God most, God appears, as if he ever left to begin with. God comes to us in those scary and deep and dark places of our lives and bring healing and hope.
And, the man now freed from demons who wants to follow Jesus is told, "Go home and tell others what has happened to you." In other words, the one who is healed becomes the one who tells the story, becomes God's mouth piece, becomes a great witness!
Don't our baptismal vows say the same things to you and to me? Now that you've heard, go and tell what you have seen and witnessed. There is our calling, our direction, our purpose. To tell the old, old story so that others might hear. Go home, and do the same.
