Our sisters and brothers bear a heavy load
Only many hands will move the rock
Come for Christ calls us
Only many hands will move the rock
Song “Beauty for brokenness”
Loving God
We are made in your image
We pray for justice and peace
Believing in your love for us
We pray for an end to oppression
Believing you made us and our earth
We commit to protecting one another
And your world
Amen
We say the Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Song “He will hold me fast”
Reflection Luke 8v26-39
The story of the Gerasene demoniac is of a cosmic confrontation between the kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan. It is a confrontation played ouy in the ministry of Jesus and in our own lives and world. It follows the stilling of the storm. Both stories image the powers of evil and the defeat of those powers.
When Jesus stepped ashore a man from the city having demons (we would say today mental health issues), began to scream out and fell at Jesus feet, lunged at him.
He said “I beg you”. Jesus responded “What do you want with me-literally “What to me and you?”, what do we have in common, an Aramaic saying. The demons in the man recognized that Jesus was the Son of the Most High God. The evil powers are well aware of Jesus divine origins. Don’t torture me they said or literally, Don’t twist me. Torture to exact a confession.
Many times this power seized the man though he was chained and bound to keep him safe. But he had broken his chains and escaped into the wilderness.
Jesus asked him what was his name and he answered Legion. A Roman Legion was 5000 soldiers. We are many then! (Like Mary).
They begged him not to send them into the abyss. A very deep underworld and the dwelling place of Satan.
There is a herd of pigs grazing nearby on the hillside. The demons beg to be sent into the pigs (Why?! This seems very unfair on the pigs!)
When the demons came out they went into the pigs who rushed over the cliff into the sea and drowned. There was a lot of noise and the herdsman and villagers were very afraid. What they found was the man sitting talking to Jesus, having been dressed and now of sound mind. He is seated at the feet of Jesus like a disciple.
They were afraid even though the man was healed! The eye witnesses the swine herdsmen said the man had been healed. Healing is salvation, being saved in Luke. It is demonstrated here.
And the people ask Jesus to leave!! So he returned to Galilee and the man begged to go with him but Jesus told him to return to his people, his village. So he did, telling his story of healing.
Do we know situations where miracles have been performed but people don't want change?
Intercessions
Blessed are the ones we call poor
God comforts them with an open door
Blessed are the ones who deeply mourn
God comforts them from dusk till dawn
Blessed are the ones who know their need
God comforts them and sows a seed
Blessed are the ones who thirst for right
God comforts them in their fight.
Blessed are the ones who bring calm
God comforts them with his open arms.
We pray for our world, our country, our communities, our families and friends.
Song “This Glorious Grace”
Wisdom take root in our spirits.
Help us to see new possibilities
Dream new dreams.
And bless us on our way. Amen
Song “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen!”
