Matthew 8:28-9:1 2024/07/28 Osaka Church
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Today’s Gospel tells us of Jesus overcoming the power of evil spirits.
Jesus encountered two men possessed by countless demons, raging in a cemetery and keeping people away. The Lord drove away the demons from the two men with one word “Go.” The demons entered a herd of pigs kept nearby, and together with the mad pigs, they ran off a cliff into the lake and perished.
We Christians have welcomed Jesus, the Victor over the devil, into our lives as the Lord of life. We must always be certain that we are with Christ the Savior, and rely on nothing else. We Orthodox Christians wear the Lord’s cross on our chests, make the sign of the cross whenever possible, and pray, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” This is to constantly renew our conviction and resolve.
However, we often forget this conviction and resolve. And we struggle, relying on our own strength, and are trapped by the evil spirits, who see this and gloat, saying, “I got you.” The attacks of the evil spirits are particularly powerful and subtle when we try to live the way the Lord Jesus asks us to live. We are easily pulled down by their clever traps. And when we hear teachings like “Love your enemies,” “Forgive as often as you can,” and “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” we are not encouraged, but rather give up, saying, “I can’t do such thing.” This is the reality.
Today, I would like to introduce the words of a certain Holy Father. These are the words of Dorotheus of Gaza, a Holy Father from the 6th century. Dorotheus is well aware of our human weakness. That is why his words are realistic. But his practical advice never obscures the truth of the Lord’s Word.
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Settle in with faith in God, show Him your will and enthusiasm, and soon you will see God’s help.
Imagine two ladders. One leads up to heaven, and the other leads down to hell. You are on earth facing these two ladders. Do not think or say, “How can I jump up to the top of this ladder (to heaven)?” This is not possible now, and God is not asking you to do so now. But at least try not to go down. Do not do bad things to your neighbor, do not make your neighbor sad, do not slander, speak ill of your neighbor, belittle, or criticize him. When you are able to do this, start doing good to your neighbors, sympathizing with them when they are down and giving them what they need. You will surely be able to do it then.
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Let us ask. Christ the Victor will be with us. If we stop relying on our own strength and pride and instead have confidence in the grace of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed victory in the battle for our souls, the daily battle against evil spirits that try to hinder us from loving our neighbor.
Let me add one more thing: this is a battle that is fought in the midst of the encouragement of fellow church members. That is why we gather here to share in joy and gratitude the grace that is essential to fight this battle: the Eucharist.