Who Is Really in Charge of Your Heart?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus enters the region of the Gadarenes, and immediately two men possessed by demons come running toward Him. Think about that for a moment. These men had lost their freedom. They were alive, but they weren’t really living. Something else had taken control.

Now here’s something interesting. The demons know exactly who Jesus is. They call Him, “Son of God.” Sometimes people think believing Jesus exists is enough. But even the demons know who Jesus is. The difference is this: they refuse to surrender to Him.

Faith is not just knowing about Jesus. Faith is allowing Jesus to be Lord of your life. Then something surprising happens. The demons ask to enter a herd of pigs. Jesus allows it, and the pigs rush down the hill into the sea. Why pigs? For the Jewish people, pigs were considered unclean animals. It’s almost as if the Gospel is showing us that evil never brings life. Evil always leads toward destruction. The pigs don’t become happier. They don’t become stronger. They rush toward death. That is exactly what sin does. It always promises freedom. But it always takes freedom away.

Here’s another question. When the townspeople hear what happened, what do they do? Do they fall on their knees and thank Jesus for setting two men free? No. They ask Jesus to leave. Isn’t that strange? Or maybe it isn’t. Sometimes we become so comfortable with the way things are that we would rather keep our comfort than welcome Christ. Maybe they were more worried about losing their pigs than celebrating two men who had been restored.

Sometimes we do the same. We say, “Jesus, You can come into my life… just don’t touch my money.” Or “…don’t touch my relationship.” Or “…don’t touch my habits.” We want Jesus close enough to bless us but not close enough to change us. But Jesus never forces Himself into anyone’s life. If people ask Him to leave, He leaves. That should make us stop and think. Every day Jesus stands at the door of our hearts. Not to take away our joy. Not to ruin our plans. But to set us free. The greatest miracle in today’s Gospel is not that demons were cast out. The greatest miracle is that Jesus has the power to restore a human person to who they were created to be. And He still does that today.

So maybe the question isn’t whether evil exists. Maybe the better question is this: What is occupying the space in my heart that belongs to Jesus alone?

Because whatever sits on the throne of your heart will shape your life. Only Christ can sit there without destroying you. Only Christ can make you truly free.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know the parts of my life that are still not free. You know the fears, habits, and attachments that keep me from following You completely. Give me the courage not to ask You to leave, but to invite You deeper into my heart. Be the Lord of every part of my life. Set me free from whatever keeps me from loving You with my whole heart. Amen.

– Homily by Rev Fr Patrick Agbeko