Speaking to the Person

Scripture – Luke 8:30-33: 30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Reflection: Jesus spoke to the man, not the demons. The man answered him. Many times I get caught up in a person’s situation, disease or condition. It’s easy to forget the person I’m with.

Recently I spoke with a woman suffering from dementia. Four different times she asked me who I was, even though we’ve know each other for years. As I continued speaking to her, I kept in mind who she is. Somewhere inside she knew I was a familiar and safe person. My prayer – my trust – is that God will cut through her confusion with a clear sense of His love and peace.

To that end I will continue speaking to her, not the demons that trouble her. I will trust Christ to keep providing her with the firm foundation He gives us all.