Daily Devotional for January 21

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January 21                                                           Mark 5:1-20

The hills around the Sea of Galilee contain many large caves
that were used to shelter cattle or other animals or to provide
refuge for fugitives from war or from the law. They were also
used as burial tombs. It was from one of these burial caves
that a man possessed by a legion of evil spirits emerged and
fell on his knees before Jesus. Having compassion on him, Jesus
cast out the demons, so that the man was able simply to sit
there, clothed, and in his right mind.

Sometimes I, too, feel that I am possessed by a legion of the
evil spirits that permeate our culture and keep me immured
in burial caves. I am buried in the caves of consumerism which
urges me to spend, to buy, to satisfy my selfish desires. Loving
and compassionate God, help me to break these chains by
spending my money and my time on projects which enable
those less fortunate than myself to gain a sense of worth and
self-respect.

I am buried in the caves of a capitalistic sense of competition
which subliminally urges me to compare myself with others
and to denigrate them so that I can feel secure. Gracious God,
smash these iron chains of insecurity so that I can compete
only with myself and feel jealous only of the person I am meant
to become.

I am buried in the caves of a superpower mentality of domi-
nation which always seeks to control and manipulate others.
Help me, gentle God, to regain my right mind and to clothe
myself and others with respect for individual freedom.

Jesus, today I fall on my knees before you and beg you to banish
the mob of demons which possess me and keep me locked
in burial caves. I want to go home to my family and friends
to tell them how kind you have been to me. Amen.

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From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C