Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 8: 28-34
“Go Then”: Christ’s Power and Our Response

Today’s Gospel reminds us of a mysterious and powerful encounter between Jesus and two men possessed by demons. These evil spirits recognized who Jesus was. They knew his authority. And when they begged him to send them into a herd of swine, Jesus answered with just two words: “Go then.” In that moment, we see the immense power of Jesus. With only his word, he silences demons, calms storms, and raises the dead. Truly, as the Gospel of John says, “The Father loves the Son and has handed everything over to him.”

But then something surprising happens. The townspeople—who heard about the miracle—do not welcome Jesus. They come out to meet him… and ask him to leave. Why? Perhaps they were afraid. Or maybe the loss of the pigs meant more to them than the freedom of two suffering men. In contrast, remember the woman at the well? Her encounter with Jesus led her to bring her whole village to him. Our witness matters. What kind of testimony do we give when we speak of Jesus?

It’s a sobering truth: Not everyone who sees Jesus follows him. And it is still true today. Seeing is not the same as believing. Our desire to follow Christ—however imperfect—is already a gift from God. As St. Paul reminds us, “It is God who works in you both to will and to act” (Phil 2:13).

Let us thank the Lord today for the grace to desire Him. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew our love for Jesus, and never take for granted the blessing of faith.

Resolution: Today I will thank the Lord for giving me the desire to follow Him, and pray for the grace to deepen that desire.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025