The Gospel reminds us to look into ourselves and examine if we, too, are “possessed” by evil spirits in our daily lives. The spirit says: “Legion is my name, for we are many.” Indeed, we face many evil spirits every day. They can come in the form of anger, greed, hatred, despair and hopelessness. Like the possessed man in the Gospel, when we allow these spirits to overcome us, we, too, “live among the tombs…. bound with fetters and chains” and, without Jesus, we do not have the strength to control them.
Surprisingly, when the people knew of Jesus’ power over evil spirits, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Perhaps this reflects people’s fear of letting go and letting God.
What evil spirit have you allowed to take over you? Why not allow Jesus to heal you?