Suggested Scripture: Mark 5: 1-20. It may be necessary to read the Suggested Scripture in its entirety to fully understand the meditation that follows.
Mark 5:18 – 19 (text)
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” (1)
Where in this world of technical and scientific success does this strange incredulous episode from the Gospels fit? Believers coyly reserve the right to dismiss some of the story’s details as the product of an unenlightened age. Skeptics feel free to use it to condemn the whole Gospel narrative.
We quickly discard as fabrication all that we cannot bring under the mastery of our reason. We suppose that we alone create order in the world, through the application of our innovative advancements.
The present incident reveals both the mystery of our creation and the majesty of God, our Creator. The essence of our being is the primary fact that we are born with dual citizenship, of earth and heaven. But it is in our derivation from God, and not in the light of our achievements that we must understand our being.
Consider the most evidential facts demonstrating this man’s earthly citizenship.
- There are the tombs of the dead. Indeed a strange habitat for one meant to live in a family and interact with the living!
- There are the remanents of chains on hands and feet. They tell of the tragic failures for control through the mastery of reason.
- There is an indication of self-mutilation, perhaps the evidence of lost hope, to live up to the promptings from heaven, to remember from whence he came.
- Then there is the final prognosis, which is still too freely offered when diagnoses are uncertain,” it’s all in the head,” when the problem is often within the realm of the spirit.According to Teilhard de Chardin, paleontologist and theologian, in The Hymn Of The Universe, “there is an inwardness to a man that is as real as if observed through a rent in the body”. (3)
Our inquiry now is into the evidence of spiritual inwardness relative to this man’s heavenly citizenship.
- Something beyond the scope of his physical environment is evident from this man’s initial responses. The fugitive’s quick identification of Jesus, and his awareness of accepted theological propositions, indicate some knowledge of the spiritual realm. ( Mark 5: 7)
- There is abundant evidence of an acutely disturbed ” inwardness.” This pitifully divided mind manifests itself in response to Jesus’ question, “What is your name?” ” My name is Legion; he replied, ” for we are many.”
- Other creditable evidence is that a “guilt complex” is possibly the name of one of the torturing demons. Had an earlier encounter with Jesus resulted in discipleship in name only, which ended in desertion? Is that perhaps embedded in his expressed fear of being tormented by Jesus? The feeling of guilt is possible only if something once considered satisfying is again revealed. ‘The return to man’s origin is never a new beginning out of nothing, but it is a restoration.”
It is at this juncture that Jesus enters the inner chamber of this man’s suffering. From boyhood, I have struggled with the phrase in The Apostle’s Creed, 9 ( concerning Jesus it is written) ” He descended into Hell.” Experiencing this episode, in this way, enables me now to understand that phrase more clearly. (2)
Theologians refer to ‘ the dark night of the soul’ experience. For Jesus, entering this man’s inner being was like entering strange, eerie confinement filled with palpable darkness! It reminds one of Dante’s Divine Comedy, with the over-door inscription: “Abandon every hope – who enters here!” (4). The poor fellow’s inwardness must have been just as dark and musty as the tomb where he sought shelter for his body.
Yet in the sea of darkness amidst the internal chaos and confusion, a tiny spark of light refuses to surrender. It grows the brighter as “the Light Of The World” moves invincibly towards it. As happened one day previously in the throes of a vicious storm on the sea of Galilee, the roaring waves once more surrender in meekness. A fresh glow fills the inner sanctuary as the pathetic divided self gains control at the powerful command of Jesus. Jesus rekindles the lamp of memory and permits this epitome of helplessness to remember family ties that yet remain for him.
Other people soon appear on the scene. Observing such a radiant light emanating from the same source of such previous darkness, they grew mute in disbelief.
The story concerning the lost pigs that drowned in the sea would have to wait for another day for broadcasting in that near-by town. Today the miracle told everywhere was about the new missionary whose presence was aglow with a new light shining from his soul.
Prayer To Follow This Meditation
Father, of all comfort, hear our prayers for those among us who are desperately lonely.
Especially we pray for the homeless who tonight will be comforted by heaven’s night-lights alone. Some, knowing well the companionship of hunger, will snack now on the scraps from the rich man’s table. The sounds amplifying their inhuman plight are of feet rushing to escape the burdensome evidence of human helplessness and need, and those sounds of the shared miseries of a shapeless existence.
Father, come near to comfort those who have no familial ties anymore. Sometimes, in the haunting darkness, they wander among the tombs of people that used to be. Would You please acquaint them anew with the story of THE PRODIGAL SON and the account of a father whose love remained stronger than all misadventures?
Father, Your Son, relayed to His first disciples how He was homeless here. He had no place to lay His head. Save us all from becoming overly concerned with creaturely comforts here, where so many endure such a fragile existence. Equip us with a more vigorous and sincere faith to believe that You will provide, for any sacrifice we make.
“If on our daily course our mind
Be set, to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be,
As more of heaven in each we see;
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care”. ( 5)
For the sake of Your love, we pray, Amen.
HYMN: Son Of My Soul (Click on links below)
hhttps://www.bing.com/videos/search?v
EDITORIAL NOTES
1. The translation used is the NIV.
2. www.learnreligions.com/the-apostles-creed-p2-700364
3.Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/994259.Hymn_of_the_Universe
4.Dante’s Divine Comedy
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/abandon-hope-all-ye-who-
enter-here.html
The Divine Comedy is a long narrative poem by Dante Alighieri, begun c. 1308 and completed in 1320, a year before his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work in Italian literature and is one of the greatest works of world literature.”
5. From Hymn: New Every Morning Is God’s Love
http://www.pateys.nf.ca/cgi-bin/lyrics.pl? hymnnumber=815