Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 21:5, 8-20a; Psalm 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Matthew 8:28-34
Summary
Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away. As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba, the water in the skin was used up. So she put the child down under one of the bushes, and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, “I cannot watch the child die.” As she sat opposite him, she wept aloud (Gen 21:14-16).
God heard the boy’s voice, and God’s angel called to Hagar from heaven: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not fear; God has heard the boy’s voice in this plight of his. Get up, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink. God was with the boy as he grew up (Gen 21:17-20a).
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them
(PS 34:7-8).
Reflection
Rejecting people, harassing people, imprisoning people, abasing people is the federal norm. It is the Florida norm. It is not normal. Jesus will not allow us this error nor should be want to be allowed this error.
Hagar and Ishmael were saved by the Lord himself because supposed righteous people (in this case Abraham) were missing the mark. The Gadarene Demoniacs were saved by Jesus because we couldn’t figure it out ourselves. Yet make no mistake, our deliberate cruelty is not being ignored by the Lord.
Clarifying note: in the gospel portion today the people were more concerned with losing pigs (wealth) than the recovery of people from certain agony.
Even more so…
TO BE CLEAR: the point is they are selling FEAR and DOMINATION. This is not about criminals and cheats. Legislative failure does not translate to license for Executive cruelty. Treating humans as if demonic. Treating humans as if swine.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/01/photos-trump-alligator-alcatraz/84433217007
Jesus came to the rescue of story of The Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs. In the presence of the Lord, this is our future:
The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district (MT 8:33-34).
Personal Reflection
It feels so lonely to be in the Church but not hear the voices of the Church raise up and reject these things. I hear a lot about ad orientum, kneeling at Communion, and a host of liturgical ritual purity. The demons of this gospel portion today are here. We run the danger of rejecting Jesus.
We are more frightened by compassion than we are by violence.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070225.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry