Saturday, June 22, 2019

When Pigs Fly

                            Second Sunday after Pentecost June 23, 2019


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. Luke 8:26-39

Some folks don't like to hear that there are consequences from any behavior. They particularly don't want to hear that healing can be painful, challenging and life altering. Anyone who has spent time in Physical Therapy knows that to get better one has to be willing to strain and learn new habits. We change and change the world around us as well get well, no longer accepting the limitations, and embracing a new way to be in the world.

Jesus healed a very ill and tormented man. The family and the community had given up on him years before. He was a threat to everyone, including himself. After the healing, they were terrified, not just because the pigs were terrorized and died, but because the world as they knew it had changed. They had to learn new habits and new understanding. That is hard for all of us. God promises to give us the strength to be healed and live into our new selves and new worlds.

Today, I ask God to help me take hold of the healing that is present and live into the new world being made. May we not be afraid, but embrace the changes around us and see God's love in those around us.


Collect
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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