13th Week of Ordinary Time C – Wednesday

In the first reading, we see the joy of Isaac’s birth, a child long promised to Abraham and Sarah. Even in their old age, God fulfilled His word. This reminds us that God’s promises are not limited by time or human weakness. What He says, He brings to completion.

But the joy of the promise is soon followed by conflict. Sarah, though overjoyed at Isaac’s arrival, becomes fearful and jealous when she sees Ishmael, the son of Hagar, playing with Isaac. She demands that Abraham send them away. Her reaction is harsh, yet not uncommon. Human jealousy and fear often sow division, even in families. Abraham is distressed, but God reassures him. God reminds Abraham that Isaac is the child of the covenant, but also assures him that Ishmael too will not be forgotten. He promises to make a great nation from him as well.

This is where we see the mercy of God shine clearly. Though Hagar and Ishmael are cast out, God does not abandon them. When the water runs out in the desert, and Hagar fears her child will die, God hears the boy’s cry. He sends His angel to comfort her, to open her eyes, and to provide water. God remains faithful even to those who are rejected by others. He hears the cry of the poor. He sees those who suffer. He provides for those whom the world casts aside. Why? Because we are all God’s children, even when we cannot discern that when looking at others. To Sarah, Hagar was a threat. To God, she was his daughter.

In the Gospel, we encounter another form of rejection. Jesus enters the region of the Gadarenes and is met by two men possessed by demons. These men were violent, isolated, and feared. They lived among the tombs—cut off from community, beyond help. Yet Jesus does not avoid them. He confronts the evil in them directly. He commands the demons to leave. He restores the men to sanity and peace.

Instead of rejoicing in the healing, the townspeople beg Jesus to leave. They are disturbed by what has happened. They have lost a herd of swine and gained two healed men—but they prefer the swine. They choose economic security over spiritual renewal. They choose comfort over transformation.

In both readings, there is a pattern: God acts with mercy and power, but people respond with fear and an attachment to temporal goods in whatever forms they take. Sarah fears Ishmael will take Isaac’s inheritance. The Gadarenes fear Jesus will disrupt their way of life. Yet in the middle of all this fear, God is not afraid. He acts. He heals. He saves.

We are invited today to ask: how do we respond to God’s action in our lives? When His word challenges us, do we welcome it—or resist it? When He calls us to trust Him, even at the cost of our comfort, do we obey—or turn away? And when we see others in need, do we respond like Sarah and the townspeople—or like God?

Let us be people who trust God, welcome Him, and follow Him, even when the path is hard. He is always faithful, and His mercy never fails. Amen.