Reflection from Rev Trevor Lloyd

The Gospel for today, the day after the Presentation of Christ is Mark chapter 5 verses 1-20, about Jesus restoring a demon-possessed man.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!’ For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit!’

Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’

‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, ‘Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.’ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man – and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (NIV)

Reflection

There is a war on. A war between good and evil, between killing and healing. Just look at the news headlines – and pray for those involved the ongoing conflicts as well as the latest atrocities. You don’t need me to tell you that - we experience that war in the conflicts and tensions within ourselves, within our families even when they don’t get into the headlines. Trace the story in the Gospels for these few days, to experience both the glory and the abject roughness and challenge of being with Jesus, of being Jesus himself. Yesterday we were stunned by what happened in the temple, sharing the joy of Simeon and Anna as they have their own personal epiphany, recognising who Jesus is, holding a new baby in your arms transporting you into glory, filling you with hope and a light even more than the mass of candles in the building. And yet there is Simeon’s warning about the future: ‘a sword will pierce your own soul too’ . So today’s Gospel plunges us straight into the clamouring needs of those around us - and they don’t keep at a respectful distance or hide away in tombs. They come out and shout - and not just at politicians, presidents and political commentators, but at us. We’re in the middle of that war, and there are so many conflicting demands - ‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’ Go away and read Ephesians 6 about that war and the weapons we have. Lord, give us the wisdom to understand the situations around us and the weapons you give us, to discern where there is a need for healing and restoring to wholeness, and where there is a need to confront and fight.

So we go on praying for our world and for each other

God of truth,
we see with our eyes and hold in our hands your gift of life:
strengthen our faith as we serve you together
that we may grow in love for you and for each other;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright ? The Archbishops' Council 2000