Daily Devotional for July 27

 

July 27                                                       Mark 5:1-20

Often our response to the experience of grace is to declare
our willingness to leave everything to follow wherever Christ
leads, even to the ends of the earth. Such is the case in today's
Gospel, when the healed demoniac begged Jesus to take him
along with him on his journey.

For his part, Jesus responded with clear, simple advice: "Go
home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has
done for you, and how God has had mercy on you." The
simplicity of Jesus' command is significant. He did not encour-
age theological debate and speculation or a new pattern of wor-
ship and adoration. He simply told the man to go home and
tell others about the gift of God's mercy in his life. In addition
to these words, his changed behavior and attitude would show
the world the tremendous power of God's grace to transform
lives.

Like the Gerasene demoniac, we too are sometimes confused
and tormented by the circumstances and events of our lives.
At such times, Christ enters our lives to teach us our true iden-
tities and to release us from the legion of conflicting desires
that keep us repeating self-destructive patterns of behavior.
A few among us are then called to leave everything to follow
Christ. For most of us, though, faithfulness to Christ means
returning to the place where we were before and proclaim-
ing there with simple words and changed lives what God has
done for us and what God can do for others. This is the good
news of salvation, the message of healing and wholeness which
we are sent to live and share today.

                Jesus, sometimes I think that I must speak
            eloquent words, do dramatic deeds, or travel to
      faraway places in order to proclaim your mercy. Today
    you bid me share the good news of what you have done
         for me right here at home. Thank you for teaching
         me once again that your presence abides always
                 in the ordinary persons, circumstances,
                               and events of my life.

​

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

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.