In today’s Gospel reading Jesus shows his divine powers: he calms the stormy sea by his word and he drives out demons from two men.

The disciples in the boat with Jesus feared for their lives in the sudden strong winds and waves bearing on their boat: “‘Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he stood up and ordered the wind and sea, and it became completely calm.”

Back at the shore, Jesus drives out demons which possessed two men. The demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God: Jesus allows them to leave the men, to go into the herd of pigs which then rushed down the cliff and drowned.

We may not see or experience possession by demons as in the Gospel narrative. But in reality we are possessed by a whole variety of “demons”: greed, glutton, lust, envy, pride and this world and its prevailing values are all “demons” which trouble and possess us, complicate our lives, bring us to sin and drive us away from our God.

We take comfort knowing that our God is present with his grace and help, to help us overcome these demons in our lives. We need prayer; we need faith. God will take care of the rest.