How long has it been since you did something that took you out of your “comfort zone?” Whether it was a good experience or a bad experience, it was definitely a new experience. And new experiences bring new perspectives, revealing some new information about yourself, others, and life.

Jesus and his disciples moved out of their “comfort zone” in this week’s gospel text. For the first time in his public ministry Jesus travels outside of Galilee. He ventures out of territory populated primarily by Jews. Although the text offers several variants on the actual place name visited (“Gadarenes,” “Gergesenes,” or “Gerasenes”), the salient point of the location is that Jesus had moved out into Gentile lands.

Luke stresses that Jesus steps off the boat and is now “opposite” Galilee. The oppositiona…