People came out to see what had happened and, when they approached Jesus, they discovered the man from whom the demons had come out sitting at his feet. He was clothed and in his right mind, and they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed it told them how the possessed man had been saved. The entire population of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them because they were seized with great fear. So he got into a boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had come out begged to remain with him, but he sent him away, saying, “Return home and recount what God has done for you.” The man went off and proclaimed throughout the whole town what Jesus had done for him. 

In the final session of the movie "The Kite Runner," realizing his cowardice from early in his life when he left his friend Hassan, Amir, now a young adult, decided to make amends. As Hassan's father told Amir, "There is a way to be good again." Even as he understood the danger of going back to Pakistan, and eventually into the Taliban-controlled Kabul, Amir decided to make up for the immature actions of his youth when he hurt his friend Hassan who now had been killed. As Amir understood that he had the opportunity of rescuing Hassan's son, Sohrab, from the Taliban he showed the bravery that he was afraid to show earlier in his life. He made things "good again" by his courageous actions, saving a child, and at the same time, preserving his own integrity.  

There are many instances in Jesus’ public ministry in which people finally accepted what they had done in the past, admitted that they were wrong, and began their lives again. We are not sure what the problem was for the “man possessed” in Luke’s Gospel, but we are sure that from the moment he met Jesus, he changed his ways, and began to proclaim the presence of God in his life.

Amir had done one thing in his past for which he was especially ashamed. He had hurt a friend. He knew, if given the opportunity, that he had to make amends, even if there was danger. Amir showed courage in what he finally accomplished, but there may have been more courage in simply acknowledging that he had to be "good again."

Young and old should learn from Amir's courage. There are many things in our past that we should not have done. It may be years before we understand that our actions were wrong. But no matter when they finally understand, people of integrity will accept responsibility for what they have done. At the same time, they will listen to the accompanying call to do something about it. It is the call "to be good again." It may mean a more concentrated look at studies, or a deeper relationship with parents, or a better way of treating friends, or a better way of loving a spouse. But it will mean action, action to do the right thing, action to be "good again."           

THOUGHT
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you want us to be responsible people, people who realize that we will have to change some of our behavior patterns if we are to become what you want us to be, that is to be "good again." Give us the grace to change for the better. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America