22nd June: Trinity 1
online Morning Prayer.
Galatians 3:23-29
Paul writes to the Christians in the churches in Galatia to tell them that they are no longer bound by the old strict laws oof the Jewish faith. In their baptism, they have become free and are one together in Christ.
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 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. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Luke 8:26-39
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.
Something to think about
Jesus and his disciples had moved into Gentile territory (hence the pigs - animals forbidden to Jews). There, they were confronted by a man possessed by demons. After Jesus had cured the man by driving out the demons, the crowd begged Jesus to leave. The man however, asked Jesus if he could stay with him, but Jesus told him he must go and tell others of his cure.
Collect
God of truth, help us to keep your law
and to walk in ways of wisdom,
that we may find true life in Jesus Christ your Son.
Post Communion
Eternal Father, we thank you for nourishing us
with these heavenly gifts:
may our communion strengthen us in faith,
build us up in hope, and make us grow in love;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (29th) Readings:
2 Timothy 4:6-6,17-18
Matthew 16:13-19
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Reina Hammond, Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of James Litchfield, Mick Chell, Marie Bacon, Mollie Moon, Margaret Marsden, Lindsey Harrison, Bob Bates and Paul Clarke.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.