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Bonaventure’s Commentary on Luke’s Gospel Thirty Days of Reflection and Prayer 26 Day Ten: Read and meditate on Luke 8:26-39 Luke 8:35: “And the townspeople came to Jesus and found the man from whom the devils had gone out sitting at his feet, clothed and in his right mind.” Bonaventure tells us: The man was in his right condition against the restlessness he had previously experienced, for he never had any rest when the devil possessed him. Isaiah 57:20 reads: “The wicked are like the raging sea which cannot rest.” It is different with the person in whom the Spirit of God dwells, as it is said in Lamentations 3:28: “He will sit solitary and will keep quiet,” for, according to the Psalm, “his place has been established in peace” (75:3). They also found him in his right clothing against the nakedness he had previously experienced . For this reason the text adds: “clothed.” For such attire befits a person both bodily and spiritually. Revelation 16:15 has: “Blessed is the person who keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” They also found him in his right mind against the craziness he had experienced. Wherefore, the text says “in his right mind.” So he could say what Nebuchadnezzar did in Daniel 4:33: “At the same time my right mind returned to me.” The devil takes away this mind from those whom he possesses, as he weakens their minds. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says: “In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” Further, they found him in his right place in contrast to the disarray he had experienced . On account of this the text adds: “sitting at his feet,” as one intent on hearing his preaching, according to what Deuteronomy 33:3 says: “Those who draw near to his feet will receive his teaching.” And Luke 10:39 below has: “Mary seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to his word.” And because of these indications they clearly recognized from their own inspection that he had been liberated. Now they knew the manner of healing and its cause through hearing, 27 because they heard that this was done by Christ. Wherefore, the text continues: “And they feared,” scilicet, Christ, aware of his wonderful power and strength, as Jeremiah 10:7 reads: “Who shall not fear you, O king of the nations?” Reflection It seems that modern readers don’t like this story. Many of them view this story from a capitalist perspective and have a hard time accepting Jewish Jesus’ behavior as he destroys someone else’s property. Just think of all those ribs, hams, pork chops, and rashers of bacon going to waste! Perhaps these readers have gotten to the formulators of the lectionary who have banned this passage from any Sunday gospel. Bonaventure, however, is more attuned to this gospel story than many modern readers as he captures many of the contrasts in the story. Jesus has produced five changes in the man: 1) outside city – preaching in the city; 2) living in the tombs among the dead and not in a house – living in a house among human beings; 3) unclothed – clothed; 4) possessed/ mad – of sound mind and free to choose to be a disciple of Jesus ; 5) living in the desert – living in a house. These contrasts provide evidence of human transformation and of liberation by Jesus. Jesus has given this man new life. These radical changes have not been effected in the man because of human intervention, even that of the mighty Roman government. Prayer Lord, I admit that I struggle to accept what is strange. This story fits this bill to a T. Let me not focus so much on my capitalist orientation on the lost “other white meat.” Rather open my eyes to see the power of our liberator Jesus, of the power of preaching and the sacraments in human transformation . ...

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