The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia (286-305); Vyshhorod Icon of the Mother of God (“Our Lady of Vladimir”)
Galatians 1:1-10; 1:20-2:5; Mark 5:1-20
Read Mark 5:1-20
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s Gospel lesson reminds us of the existence of a personal evil. It is difficult for us to comprehend how devoid of compassion and mercy these fallen creatures really are. Their sole aim is to torture and corrupt as many souls, so that we find ourselves in the same state of utter misery as they. The man in the Gospel was a plaything of demons without hope of freedom. He is presented as a walking dead man, in bondage, ostracised and relegated to a life of despair.
This man also is an image of the human condition prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. Out of his infinite compassion and mercy our Lord condescends to our level in order to free us from the misery of that hopeless condition. This freedom and power is gifted to those who abide in Christ. Jesus comes to us as a priceless gift who we ought to treasure and love above everything. Never sending him away as the people from the city of the Gerasenes did.