The Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 30, 2006
Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13
Psalm 3:2-7
Mark 5:1-20

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

A Man from the Tombs

This gospel reveals how readily the evil spirits (called “Legion”) recognize Jesus for Who He is:"What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?"

How often do we, graced by the Holy Spirit of God Himself, fail to observe or recognize Jesus in the grace of every moment?
In recognizing the power of God before them, Legion begs to be dispelled into a massive herd of swine where they will hasten to their demise in the drowning sea, rather than be dispersed to torment other souls.

The man among the tombs is freed by Jesus from the legion of spirits that tormented him, to live a holy and normal life. He is "sent out" by Jesus to the people of his town and his family to reveal what "Jesus Son of the Most High God" has done for him.

We are gifted through Baptism with an indwelling of the most Holy Spirit of God which preserves us from the legion of sins that would possess and disjoin us from our very union as remaining in Christ. The communion of saints who are one in the triune Body of Christ are the good legion we possess as heirs, holy and faithful, in the Lord Jesus Who makes us all one.

O gracious and merciful Lord, rather than wandering through the tombs that echo death, bruising our souls with the stones of sin, help us recognize that You can free us from the legion of sins that disunite us. May we cry out, "Jesus, Son of the Most High God! " through reconciliation in the sacrament of Penance and in the graces of the most holy Eucharist, so as to remain one in You, forever and ever, Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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