Lectionary for Pentecost 2
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? Psalm 42:1, 2
Collect. 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. Father, fashion us into disciples whose hope springs from the love of our Master, exalted on the throne of the cross. May the assurance he gives empower us to conquer the temptations that alarm us within, and the fears that assail us from without; that we may journey with courage along the way of Calvary to the true and eternal life that awaits us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reading. 1 Kings 19:1-4 [5-7] 8-15a. In this passage we meet Elijah shortly after his most successful campaign against Jezebel and the prophets of Baal. As is often the case after a religious high comes a disastrous low. Clearly the passage is describing a man filled with fear, perhaps even depression. The passage recalls that in his need the Lord causes Elijah to be supplied with food and drink. The food is enough to sustain him but the desperation which prompted the need to escape from the world has not left him. Finally he arrives at the cave on mount Horeb. (Horeb is noted as the mount of God) Elijah thinks he is running away but finds that he is running towards God! It is there on mount Horeb that the Lord God meets up with him. There is no rebuke but a simple question, “What are you doing here Elijah?” Elijah’s response is to say that he is disheartened and alone. God’s response is to reveal himself to Elijah. Not in a storm or a whirlwind or through fire but as the New revised Version says in “a sound of sheer silence”. This seems a wonderful phrase to capture the moment and reminds us of psalm 46:10, “be still and know that I am God”! Recognising God’s abiding presence is good at all times. The presence of God surrounds him and Elijah responds to God’s presence by hiding himself in his cloak. Even as we read the text there is something awesome conveyed by this encounter. However the question remains the same, “What are you doing here?” The Lord does not address Elijah’s concerns; rather God redirects Elijah to the task at hand. God’s presence has restored Elijah’s confidence and his calling is refocused. The Lord’s revelation of himself to Elijah reminds us that there is no condemnation levelled at Elijah for losing his confidence or his calling. On the contrary the Lord understands exactly what Elijah needs and gives it to him in full measure. In his contest against King Ahab’s apostasy Elijah will finally see the amazing confession and repentance of Ahab. Though Ahab is allowed to live out his reign nothing will prevent the future total defeat of the house of Ahab and Jezebel. (1 Kings 21:29) One might also add the final disintegration of the kingdom of Israel! Elijah’s confrontation with King Ahab sees again the rise of the importance of the prophets as the announcers of God’s message. (Mark 9:11ff)
Prayer. Through many dangers, toils and snares. I have already come: God’s grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. (Amazing Grace: John Newton) Lord, You have led us safely through trials and dangers, many that we have not fully understood, maybe not even seen because of your great love for us. So we thank you and praise you for your great goodness towards us. Life seems to present so many pressures, and each one threatens to overpower us. So often our self-confidence is eroded away and we just want to run and hide, or at least opt out of the rush of life. Yet just when all seems lost we hear your words of comfort and strengthening. You call us on to life and living, you have an interest in every aspect of our lives, and you have called us your children. Today is like a new beginning and so we turn again to you and ask, as we have often asked before, grant us the strength to see us through today and a calmness Lord that holds us back from any anxiety about tomorrow. We commit our day into your hands and ask for your blessing. In Jesus name. Amen.
Reading. Luke 8:26-39. The setting for this passage is unclear but the country of the Gerasenes or Gadarenes being “opposite” Galilee was probably in the region of Idumea which was under the authority of the tribe of Esau. The herding of pigs reminds us that the recording of this incident is not taking place on predominantly Jewish territory. On arrival Jesus and the disciples are confronted with man possessed by many demons. Under demonic influence this man roamed naked yet possessing immense strength. In the presence of Jesus both the man and the demons are cowed before him. This is the only time in the Gospels when Jesus questions the demons. “Legion”, probably implies many, as a Roman legion comprised of 6000 men. Whatever the number the demons know Jesus and are obligated to obey him. Their expulsion from the man and then their immediate demise is hard for us to understand but for those who were onlookers it signified the destruction of the demons that were oppressing the naked man. When the community realise what has happened the power and authority of Jesus fills them with fear and they urge Jesus to leave their territory. Only the healed man wants to remain in Jesus’ presence. This may seem a rather foreign incident to us but several things are presented. The power and also the compassion of Jesus are at the centre of the story. It is the welfare of the disturbed man that prompts Jesus’ action. At the same time we see the total opposition of Jesus to the demons whose presence has so disfigured the life of a man formed in the image of God.
In contrast the people untouched by Jesus’ presence cannot cope with the authority that he displays. Even though the demonic man had been a problem to the population; we can understand that because they had tried and failed to constrain him; seeing him clothed and in his right mind challenged the very structure of their world. Here was an authority greater than any they had known and to submit to that authority would have meant a total change of life style, perhaps symbolised by the destruction of the pigs! For the man now healed the passage emphasises that he did not need to stay shielded by being with Jesus but was free to announce what God had done to him in the very place where he had been demonised in the first instance. For the disciples it is a strong reminder of the ability of Jesus to bring the healing power of God into each and every situation: A further reminder that here is the Messiah, the Son of the Most High God.
Prayer. We thank you Most Gracious God, You are the Great Creator, there is nothing in life that you cannot control and so nothing in life that should leave us fearful. In all things we can turn to you and find the courage and the strength to face life with confidence. Even the hidden mysteries are not a mystery to you. We give you all thanks and praise for calling us into being and giving to us the gift of life, Help us always to be mindful of your plan and purpose for us; may we be ready at all times to proclaim your goodness and grace. Help us to be mindful of others; remembering you gave everything for us, may we in every way live always for you. This we pray, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect. Jesus, you are the deliverer of all who struggle under burdens of the soul, and torments of the mind. Defend those in distress, provide relief in suffering, and bring them into the freedom of God’s children; for you are the Saviour, now and for ever. Amen.
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