In today’s first reading from 2 Samuel 15, a man comes alongside David and begins cursing and throwing stones at him and his soldiers. One of David’s soldiers asks permission to lop off the man’s head. But David refuses. His response is interesting, and one that should give us pause when people speak ill of us.
In our Gospel reading from Mark 5, Jesus has an encounter with a man possessed by many demons. In fact, when Jesus asks the demon his name, he replies, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” Jesus casts all of the demons into a herd of swine, and the man was healed. The man then wanted to follow Jesus. Read what Jesus’ instructions were to him.
This story reminds me of my sins – how they are legion. It also reminds me of Jesus’ power. An entire army of demons are no match for Jesus. So it is with our sins. Have you ever felt your sins are so big and so many that even Jesus couldn’t tackle them? Forget that! Like the man of the tombs, Jesus can clear out all the evil influences in your life, too.
Father, you know that our sins are legion. We pray that Jesus will cast out all evil spirits that come against us this day. Amen.
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