A curse can be expressed in several ways. It can take on the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.
Or it can be a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another. Or it can be an evil that has been invoked upon a person. Or it can be the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble.
Whether the curse will be actualized or not is another matter.
Nonetheless, to hear the words of a curse can cut and tear the heart.
In the 1st reading, king David heard the cursed words of Shimei and he could have retaliated. But he did not.
King David knew that he was in the pits because even his own son was after his life.
Still, in the depths of his distress, he placed his hope in the Lord's mercy.
In the gospel, we can understand that what the disciples saw in the man was just a bag of curses.
They might even felt that this was the pits for them: they were in a foreign land, there was this possessed madman before them, the pigs, the cemetery around.
They were probably cursing the situation they were in and wondered why Jesus brought them there in the first place.
But that was precisely why Jesus came into this world so that the curse of sin will be changed into a blessing of hope.
So whenever we find ourselves in a lousy situation and feel like cursing, let us follow David's example and turn to God and place our hope in His mercy.
And when we have received the blessing of hope and mercy, let us also do what Jesus told the man He had healed: Go home to your people and tell them all the Lord in His mercy has done for you.
Or it can be a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another. Or it can be an evil that has been invoked upon a person. Or it can be the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble.
Whether the curse will be actualized or not is another matter.
Nonetheless, to hear the words of a curse can cut and tear the heart.
In the 1st reading, king David heard the cursed words of Shimei and he could have retaliated. But he did not.
King David knew that he was in the pits because even his own son was after his life.
Still, in the depths of his distress, he placed his hope in the Lord's mercy.
In the gospel, we can understand that what the disciples saw in the man was just a bag of curses.
They might even felt that this was the pits for them: they were in a foreign land, there was this possessed madman before them, the pigs, the cemetery around.
They were probably cursing the situation they were in and wondered why Jesus brought them there in the first place.
But that was precisely why Jesus came into this world so that the curse of sin will be changed into a blessing of hope.
So whenever we find ourselves in a lousy situation and feel like cursing, let us follow David's example and turn to God and place our hope in His mercy.
And when we have received the blessing of hope and mercy, let us also do what Jesus told the man He had healed: Go home to your people and tell them all the Lord in His mercy has done for you.