Day 2 Reflection #Magis

July 2, 2014 --Matthew 8 : 28-34- Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

When Jesus reached Gadara, on the other side, He was met by two men, possessed by devils, who came out from the tombs. They were so fierce that no one dared to pass that way.

Suddenly they shouted, “What do You want with us, You, Son of God? Have You come to torture us before the time?”

At some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding. So the demons begged Him, “If You drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

Jesus ordered them, “Go!” So the demons left and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned. The men in charge of them ran off to the town, where they told the whole story, also what had happened to the men possessed with the demons.

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their area.

Reflection:

                                              As it was stated in the text, two demoniacs were coming from the tomb to meet Jesus. Living in the tombs, they are considered to be possessed by the demon. They have no life, no hope and neither a bright future. Both of them are powerless, useless and helpless. Meeting Jesus in this text means the beginning of hope and new life – salvation. Jesus frees them from their demonic and helpless state and gives them new life. When Jesus drove out the demons, He allowed them to enter the swine, which is listed among one of the filthiest animals. When the people of the town heard of this, they wanted Jesus out of their district. They overlooked Jesus’ kindness and thought of Him as the one possessed because of His power to do such a thing. Or perhaps, they thought of the lost pigs and money they could have made and became angry at Jesus for such selfishness?

                                              Value. Which is more valuable, their own salvation or material possessions? This is what caused the people to overlook His kindness and purpose because they already knew the answer to this question: they valued material possessions. Material possessions don’t last. Yes, they are the cause of happiness at times but is it long-lasting? Sadly, no. These things will get destroyed eventually, get misplaced and even replaced. We are not what we have. We have a choice. To either be blinded by the fortunes and social standings caused by these materials, or true happiness and freedom of becoming who you are with the guidance of the Lord. Yes, some materials are essential to our daily lives but we have to make sure that what we have are in proportion – not too much. This will gradually cause us to be prideful and greedy. It is not wrong to aspire to have more, and become more in life. As long as we remember that we should be balanced, and our focus directed to God, we will be able to sustain our needs and be happy and contented with what we have at the same time. Contentment goes hand in hand with happiness. You can’t be happy if you aren’t contented with what you have. We have to keep in mind that we, Ateneans, are lucky. Most people dream to even be included in this institution and experience its holistic formation, but they can’t. Having said this, we have more than what they have and we need to be contented with this. We are showered with blessings every single day and yet we still want more than what we have.

                                              We can associate this with the Ignatian value, Magis. Not more things to buy, or more money to ask for, but more love, more quality and depth. Love for ourselves, others and especially God. Quality in what we aspire to do and what we do that is for God’s greater glory. And depth in understanding the true meaning of happiness and depth in understanding God’s love and salvation. Three qualities that will eventually lead us to being contented and inspired to give more to others, and do more for ourselves – to be who we really are.

                                              It is not in quantity that we find ourselves. It is being with God that we understand who we are and what we want to do with our lives. Most of us are lost in this stage, but with faith in God, we will get to our destination. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week, but we just have to believe that we will find ourselves through God and become more of ourselves. Let us take time to reflect on this question:

 What do I value most in life?

Shared by: Bianca Ferrel

8- St. John Berchmans 

Please join us again tomorrow for another day of reflection and prayer so as we can find our inner Iggy.  #Magis

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