For they are many

Imagine that you are confronting something evil and it turns to you and says

"My name is Legion: for we are many."

These chilling words are spoken by the Gadarene demoniac in today's Gospel (Mark 5:1-20).

The first reading (Hebrews 11:32-40) is chilling in its own way: recounting a legion of bad things that have happened to good people throughout history.

But there is also a powerfully encouraging message in these readings, much more powerful than the legions of evils, for the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is infinitely greater than the hosts of darkness and the grace that Christ gives us will wipe away any pain or loss that we may suffer by living out our faith and doing the right things.

(Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, be merciful to me - a sinner.)

We need to take encouragement from the example of the holy men and women of old, especially those proclaimed in today's first reading.

We need to place ourselves in the hands of Christ who will keep his faithful ones safe - no matter what may happen or what we may suffer.

Our troubles may be many,
our opponents may be legion,
but Jesus is Lord.