Seized With Great Fear

Then they 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

It often happens that when something gets fixed that was broken for a long time, people can be confused and disappointed. Likewise, when someone recovers from long addiction or illness, folks can react negatively and often with fear and disappointment. It makes little sense, but humans are unpredictable and often irrational. We live in a time when people are getting used to demonic behavior and cruelty, accepting it as normal behavior. As funds get cut off to important and well working aid for the poor, we now shrug as if it is normal. Jesus' presence is always healing and can traumatize those who cling to the status quo, who like having a village miscreant who they can blame for everything. Yet the presence of Jesus means that healing, compassion and justice flows.

Loving Creator, who seeks to heal all

your heart is for the poor and marginalized

your desire is always for reconciliation

and your way is to set the bound ones free.

Our desires are often far from your desires

we feather our nests while others starve

we take the food out of innocent children's mouths

and claim we are doing your work on earth.

Help us, Lord, to be those who feed and shelter

those in need here at home and across the world

and despite all the challenges we face today

let us be fearless as we welcome your healing here. Amen.