The gospel reading today [Monday] is the account in Mark chapter 5 of the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac. It’s rather scary story; we are meant to be terrified by the man possessed by many demons, ‘for they are legion’. Commentators have pointed out that Mark’s use of that word may point to aspects of the account as a ‘satire on the Roman military presence in the east.’ (Commentary on Mark by Joel Marcus, p, 351). Jesus in Mark is ‘the conqueror of a legion of demonic foes’ and some hearers might have connected these foes with the Roman soldiers oppressing them. Perhaps Catholics listening to this gospel in Burma / Myanmar today might feel the same way.
God bless and take care
Fr Ashley
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