The Gospel of Luke 8:26-39 Jesus and his disciples arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me” — for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
Galatians 3:23-29 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore, the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, You have broken down every dividing wall. In You, there is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female—we are one. Teach me to see others through Your eyes. Heal divisions in my heart, my community, and the world. Let Your Spirit bind us together in love. This we pray in unity to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
The season of the church from Pentecost to Advent in some denominations is called Ordinary Time. The Episcopal church does not refer to it as Ordinary time but numbers the Sundays after Pentecost. Even though it is called ordinary time it is far from ordinary. The church has been through the season of Advent (preparing for the arrival of Christ) Christmas (the incarnation of the baby Jesus) Epiphany (Jesus’ journey of his ministry) Ash Wednesday and Lent (time to evaluate our lives) Easter (The death and resurrection of our Lord) Than Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. A busy beginning of the church year, maybe it is time for a little ordinary time. But if we think about it this can be a time when the real miracle of life can be experienced. A time of loving what is, instead of thinking of just what is possible or worrying about what has been. So, as we move through ordinary time, (Pentecost season) we can stop and think about what an extraordinary gift this time really is. Time to explore, time to follow Christ’s journey and as we approach the end of Pentecost maybe we will be more prepared to start the season of Advent.
I needed to include the reading of Galatians 3:23-29 as it helped reenforce the Gospel lesson and tie both to today’s world.
In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Do you wonder what happened to that statement? Before you continue with the reflection take a minute and reread the lesson from Galatians. Paul insists there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. Christians, however, sometimes have a hard time not just practicing but also even seeing that unity. At least some of what we not only witness but also practice, in fact, seems to deny that unity, even in the church. How many people have wondered what that person who looked rather disheveled is doing here in church with us, or they should go to a church that is better suited to them? As Christians we should be able to look past how that visitor is dressed or what nationality that family is. We need to be like Jesus and welcome each and every one into our church community. Who knows that visitor may be Jesus! ‘ By God’s grace most people resist the temptation to despise or look down on each other. After all, Christians recognize that those who have faithfully received God’s grace are all one. Because of what Christ has done, we recognize each other as equals, brothers, and sisters, by God’s grace.
The theme of seeing beyond the exterior of a person is where this gospel should be taking us. It is not just about healing, but about dignity, and community. The man possessed by demons had lost everything: his home, his relationships, even his sense of self. He lived among tombs, naked and isolated, a symbol of complete social and spiritual breakdown. But when Jesus steps into the scene, there is no hesitation. He doesn’t think I should ignore him as he is naked and dirty and not totally in his right mind. But Jesus does not, He commanded the demons to leave, showing His concern for one who was an outcast. It is a reminder that true healing is not just about what we are freed from, it’s about what we are restored to. Jesus does not just remove the demons; He replaces it with purpose. The man is not only freed from demons but given a mission: to tell others what God has done for him. That is restoration and healing with a calling.
As the Gospel ends Jesus instructed the man to return home and declare how much God has done for you. That is what we should walk away with that we tell people what Jesus has done and what difference he makes in our lives. That is all we, are asked to do; all we are asked to do is to proclaim the Gospel and tell of the difference Christ can make to each and every one of us.
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith that makes me Your child. Help me to live each day clothed in Christ, confident in the identity You’ve given me—not defined by the world, but by Your love. Remind me that I belong to You, and that nothing can separate me from Your grace. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 