Lukas (8: 26-29)
We should cry out loud with all our heart’s might
Because the devil managed to tempt man into commiting sin, man was expelled from Paradise, precisely because of this violation and sin. From then on, man is not simply sinful but constantly under the demonic influence.
Many a time we see these people, who are possessed by demons, feeling this very same fear when they meet Christ, just like the possessed person of today’s gospel who pleaded Christ: “I beg You, do no torment me!” And they flee to hide.
Many a time sin, too, creates in man such a situation. Let me explain. Man is sinful, has passions as it is and instead of running to Christ with hope and faith that he’ll be saved, flees and hides. He tries to hide from his own self, from God Himself, from other people and simply lives his own drama and suffers in misery.
Each and everyone of us needs to truly realise what is happening to us and stand before Christ in humility and remorse and cry out loud with all our heart’s might: “Dear God, it’s salvation that I want, it’s salvation of my soul, it’s redemption from sin that I want; and as for the rest, you will take care of them”. Then the Lord will either deliver us free of what tortures us and grant salvation of our soul or will still grant us salvation but let our problem be for safety reasons only, so that we don’t take too much heart, or become way too proud. The point being to stay firm on the way to salvation and not to lose track.
Transcribed talks by Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos
From: Holy Hesychasterion “The Nativity of Theotokos” Publications.
The Gadarene demoniac
