Why is there never a herd of
scape-pigs around when you need one? Well, of course they really are all over
as it's so very easy to jump on the closest group of "THEM" to
blame for whatever demon(s) or demonic activities one believes of another
individual or group. Also, of course, if Jesus were to cast the demons into the
swine today, he would be overwhelmed with a huge backlash from bacon addicts. Of
course, in the time of Jesus, as is still today with strict Judaism and other
faith traditions, pork was a forbidden food, although the swineherds then as
now would have other customers.
When this Gospel appeared as a previous Year C reading, it was just
after the horrible tragedy in the nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which itself,
was just a year after the jolting tragedy in a Church Bible Study Group in
Charleston, South Carolina. Would that we could point to all being much
improved in the world, in this country ~ how do we count the
times and ways of horror-filled and hate-filled events just since then? Just in
the last month? This past weekend? All too soon again? How do we move
always forward, standing faithful and strong in the face of such ongoing
fear-filled times?
The
Lectionary, the table of appointed readings, offers an Old Testament reading
from 1st Kings 19:1-4(5-7), 8-15a from about the mid-9th century BCE
and Psalm 42 for this Sunday. Those differ from the second option of the Third Isaiah
passage which dates from about the early 8th century BCE, and Psalm 22
that I’m using here, although the Epistle and Gospel are the same. I commend Psalm
42 to your
reading. In that, the psalmist is
in lament, depressed, mocked, and yet for all his despairing he is still
speaking to God, in memory of a time when God felt closer. He also speaks in
hope as if feeling and knowing somehow ~ by faith? ~ that the time will come
when he will be able to give thanksgiving to God once again. This time, in
Psalm 22, although the opening is also a lament, we are beginning with the
later part in which the Psalmist, still beset by fear of anguish to come
(aren’t we all?), is filled with the hope of God’s nearness and, as a guide to
worship, gives us reasons to praise the God who answers prayer and cares for
all who turn in God’s direction. We, too, must turn toward God when all is
frightening, yet also, when things are good and joyful to give thanks ~ how
easy it is to forget in the better times.
Paul reminds us, in his letter to the Galatians,
that we are all one in Christ and also that we remain
the children of Abraham. At the end of this week’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus
tells the man freed of demons: Return to your home, and declare how
much God has done for you. Quite a contrast to the usual lament
of Why have you [God] forgotten me? How, indeed, do we declare
how much God has done for us in the midst of what has been
done to so many in our midst?
Let us take the time to breathe, clinging to faith, to hope, and
respect for one another. Although yet to come this week on Thursday as I write, hope
and respect are especially necessary for the Federal Holiday of June 19th, which commemorates the
arrival of Union Army General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas on June 19,
1865, to formally announce the end of slavery in Texas, 2 ½ years after
the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.*
It seems a fitting
reminder, as we remember the story of the demoniac, how those shackled in
slavery struggled during their enslavement and for many, still today. If only
all people’s demons and shackles could be easily released into a herd of scape-somethings and forever doomed.
For this moment and the ones to come, let us make moments throughout each
day* to be still and listen for God in
the silence of our souls. Let us open our hearts to smile with the giggles of children, and
be alight with the joy of sunrise breaking through a long dark night. Let us
continuously re-claim our faith, through prayer and by action ~ however tenuous
in the difficult times ~ believing in the power of God to guide us through
until we can at last praise the Lord, stand in awe, and give
glory. Let us be released from those piggies of doubt, anger, hatred,
fear, and greed, and send them off for an eternal swim! (Calm down, bacon
lovers, I’m only speaking metaphorically!)
Most of all, let us always remember that we
are marked as Christ's own forever in Baptism,
either through water or desire. No swimming required.
*Recently, someone posted on a social media page that she and
several friends have taken to put an alarm on their phones to remind them at
Noon every day, to say a prayer for peace. I have now done the same and take
that moment for some deep breathing and a petition for inner peace as well as a
plea for peace of heart in everyone everywhere.
* For more Juneteenth information
click link:
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Faithful
Loving God, teach us, again, to always know Your Presence within us, that we
are all Your children through faith in Christ Jesus, and heirs
of Abraham according to Your Promise.
Jesus, Son of God
RESPONSE: Our Healer and Redeemer
~ Faithful
Loving God, we call upon Your guidance as we stand before the rulers
and regimes on this Earth, in our Nation, and in our Community. Hasten to help
us in pressing for leaders to turn to honorable and principled governance for
the good of all Your people, especially in the causes of
Justice, Mercy, and Peace. We pray especially for: add your own
petitions
Jesus, Son of God
Our Healer and Redeemer
~ Faithful
Loving God, in your loving-kindness make your face to shine upon those
among us, those known to us, and those unknown, who suffer through chronic
pain, addiction, or distress in spirit or in life, and grant refreshment to all
who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in
need… add your own petitions
Jesus, Son of God
Our Healer and Redeemer
~ Faithful
Loving God, ease the hearts of all who grieve, as those loved in our
living memory are now risen in the joy and glory of eternal life. We pray
especially for… add your own petitions
Jesus, Son of God
Our Healer and Redeemer
~ Faithful
Loving God, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add
your own petitions
Jesus, Son of God
Our Healer and Redeemer
~ Faithful
Loving God, grant special grace this day to all who are chosen and
ordained to lead us in your Church. As they bring us your Word and Sacraments,
they teach us how to declare all that you have done for us, in us, and through
us. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus,
Son of God
Our
Healer and Redeemer
The
Celebrant adds: Most High
God, Creator of All Humankind, on this auspicious date of
Juneteenth, release us from any and all unholy possession that turns us away
from You. Keep us mindful of the hope and freedom granted us through Christ,
and fill us with the faith and compassion to proclaim Your Name by all that we
are and all that we do. We ask through Jesus, our Teacher of Love in Action;
and the Holy Spirit, the Spark that ignites our Souls; who together with You
are One God forever and ever. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment