Known...for mercy

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070225.cfm

The episode in today's Gospel is one of the oddest in my opinion. There are two distinct components that strike me: one - the demons know Jesus and two - Jesus grants their request.

In our society today, it seems that the struggle for a Christian trying to attract others to faith involves a couple of barriers. One is that people don't believe in God, period. Another is that they don't believe Jesus even existed, and if He did, they aren't convinced that He is God. In first century Palestine, everyone believed that there was a God. They debated about who god was and what god was about, but they all agreed there was one (at least one). It is a belief to which there is still not a credible counterpoint. If there is no god, no creator, how did we get here? While there is speculation, particularly in the area of quantum physics and multiverse and string theory, these hypotheses are far more speculative and based on a 'faith' in something than theology has ever been.

The second part of this then is thinking about who Jesus was. The demons recognize Him and know that He is the Son of God, and also apparently that He will destroy them. They don't dispute this but only question the timing. Knowing also that He is mercy personified, they call upon His mercy and ask to be cast into the swine. This recognition of Jesus' authority and mercy occurs in a land occupied by gentiles, not Jews. The overwhelming belief at the time was that gods had defined territories and were associated with the land. This occurrence shows that Jesus has power and authority in ALL LANDS.

So we don't have to be amazing saints to understand who Jesus is and that He has authority and mercy. Even the demons know this. What will separate us is if we follow Him. If we submit to His authority and have mercy ourselves. The whole development of the Apostles was teaching them their need for mercy and the ability to share mercy with others. If we follow Jesus in this way, then we also will be known...for mercy.