DAILY HOMILIES #Hagar

When the villagers saw what had happened, they were not grateful for the healing of the demoniac; instead, they were concerned about their economic loss. They begged Jesus to leave their neighbourhood, fearing there were more demoniacs within the community. They valued material riches more than spiritual wholeness. Like these villagers, we also beg Jesus to leave our spaces (family, work, school, business, etc.) directly and indirectly when we do not pray, do not keep God’s commandments, pursue sensual (indecent) entertainment, or even deny God’s existence.

Do not be carried away with sayings such as: “A bird in hand is better than a thousand in the wind.” As long as God is ignored in that plan, the so-called “bird in hand” will become a bone in your throat later. Our people have a parable: “If one rushes to put food into their mouth, they could easily put the food in their nose.” Although it is true that “heaven helps those who help themselves”, if such “help” involves sin, we are no longer helping ourselves but setting ourselves up for regret.