The Lord hears the cry of the poor

Gen. 21:5.8-20, Mt. 8:28-34. It is hard to see what we can gain from hearing of Abraham banishing the slave woman and her son. It is equally problematic in the chapter before today's first reading on how Abraham could believe that God wanted him to kill his son Isaac as a sacrifice. We could not possibly accept either decision: banishing his illegitimate son or slaying his true-born son, as a mandate from the true God. Abraham, a man of faith, followed what he thought to be right as the basic rule of conscience: we should judge every decision in the light of what we know. Abraham judged what he should do, in the light of contemporary custom. Infant sacrifice was widespread, as was polygamy. However, in Hagar’s case he seems to violate another contemporary custom, the law of hospitality and the obligation to protect anyone received into the group. In faith and trust Abraham did all that he believed God was asking of him; and he gradually learnT from life experience how to move on from his earlier convictions. That is how God’s providence guides our lives.

Today’s Gospel also presents us with another odd story of how Jesus drove out a set of demons into a nearby herd of pigs. As soon as they enter the pigs, the whole herd rushes headlong over a cliff and drowns in the lake below. The purpose of the story, of course, is to focus on Jesus’ power to liberate people from evil influences that held them enslaved. By His healing power, Jesus restored two madmen back to sanity and a normal life. It is striking that after doing this, the people of the region begged him to leave the neighbourhood. We would expect them to want Jesus, this man who could bring freedom to the enslaved, to stay among them for some time. Surely there were others in this locality who needed the presence of God’s power at work in Jesus. We may also be tempted to ask Jesus to leave us in peace. We sometimes want to keep Him at a distance. We sense His nearness as very demanding and will affect our business. He might call us to go out towards those who live on the edge of the community, as He went out towards the two demoniacs who lived among the tombs. If we warmly welcome the Lord into our lives, rather than keeping Him at a distance because of our business, He will give us the strength to respond to what is needed and we will also find a greater fullness of life.

May the Lord continue to reassure us of His presence, hear our prayer and send us His strength and comfort from on High! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!