“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 8:38-39
This weekend we gather for worship knowing that in times of heartache and violence and mourning that we need to be in community. The Church is Christ’s body on Earth and when we are at our best, we can be a community for healing and wholeness and love. When we are alone and without community, when we isolate ourselves, we fail to thrive as humans, and we often turn to our own control and power. Thinking that we will save ourselves and that turns into more pain, heartache, and violence.
Our main character in the Gospel reading is known as the Gerasene Demoniac. I have long felt that this poor guy deserved to be known by his name, so I am going to call him Ted. Ted’s life was hard. He was seen as a threat and was bound with chains and shackles and was living in the tombs. He didn’t have clothes, and he tells Jesus that his name is “Legion” because he had so many demons. Jesus solves Ted’s demon problem and Ted is clothed and in his right mind. So now the people who know Ted are terrified for a whole different problem: what to do with Ted? Ted wants to join up and follow Jesus, but Jesus knows he will be a much better witness if Ted stays in his own community. The community is going to need to figure out how to restore Ted to their lives. Ted has a new job as an evangelist for Jesus.
We gather this weekend knowing that God blessed all God’s people and calls us all into community, and while the church hasn’t always been a safe place for people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, folks in the community have long been bringing their gifts and skills and love to share at Central. We have stories to tell about how much Jesus has done for us. It will be so good to be together in community this weekend and share these stories.
Shalom,
Pastor Melissa