St. George Cathedral of Stockholm
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Dearly Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel brings us to the country of the Gergesenes, where our Lord Jesus Christ encounters two men living among the tombs. They are isolated, tormented, violent, and cut off from ordinary human communion. No one can pass by them safely. They have become, in a terrible way, strangers to their neighbours, strangers to themselves, and strangers to the life for which God created them.
Yet Christ crosses the sea and comes to them. This is the most consoling truth of today’s Gospel; Christ does not wait for the wounded person to become strong enough to find Him. He goes Himself into the place of fear, confusion, and death. He enters the land of the tombs. He approaches those from whom everyone else has withdrawn.
Saint John Chrysostom observes that no one dared to bring these suffering men to Christ; therefore, Christ Himself came to them. Such is the mercy of God. The Lord does not abandon us in our darkness. He seeks us when our own strength is exhausted. He comes to us when sin, pain, fear, or despair have made us feel imprisoned.
Many people today do not dwell physically among tombs, but they live within inward tombs: loneliness, addiction, hopelessness, anxiety, bitterness, pride, and the endless pursuit of possessions. We may appear outwardly successful, while inwardly we are bound by passions that diminish our freedom and obscure the image of God within us.
The most challenging moment of the Gospel is the reaction of the people of that region. They see the power of Christ. They see that the men have been delivered. Yet, instead of rejoicing, they ask Jesus to leave their district.
Why? Perhaps the loss of the swine mattered more to them than the restoration of two human beings.
Here the Gospel examines our own hearts. Do we truly want Christ to enter our lives, or only on the condition that He does not disturb our comforts? Do we welcome Him as Saviour, but ask Him not to touch our habits, our attachments, our pride, our greed, our resentments, or our indifference toward those in need?
Today the Lord comes again to the places in us that are wounded, divided, and afraid. He comes to free us, to restore us to communion with God and with one another. Let us say: “Lord, Deliver us from every passion that enslaves us. Heal our wounds. Make us people of mercy and peace.” Amen!
