·        23 Nicolaus Copernicus, 1543, and Johannes Kepler, 1630, Astronomers

·        24 Jackson Kemper, First Missionary Bishop in the United States, 1870

·        25 Bede, the Venerable, Priest, and Monk of Jarrow, 735

·        26 Augustine, First Archbishop of Canterbury, 605

·        27 Bertha and Ethelbert, Queen and King of Kent, 616

·        28 John Calvin, Theologian, 1564

·        30 Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc), Mystic and Soldier, 1431

OLD TESTAMENT: 1 Kings 19: 1 - 4 (5 - 7) 8 - 15a (RCL)

1Kin 19:1 (NRSV) A'hab told Jez'ebel all that Eli'jah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jez'ebel sent a messenger to Eli'jah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." 3 Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Be'er-she'ba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you."

8 He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Ho'reb the mount of God. 9 At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Eli'jah?" 10 He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."

11 He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Eli'jah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Eli'jah?" 14 He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." 15 Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus;

Zechariah 12: 10 - 11, 13: 1  (Roman Catholic)

Zech 12:10 (NRSV) And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Ha'dad-rim'mon in the plain of Megid'do.

13:1 On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Isaiah 65: 1 - 9 (alt. for RCL)

Isai 65:1 (NRSV) I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask,

to be found by those who did not seek me.

I said, "Here I am, here I am,"

to a nation that did not call on my name.

2 I held out my hands all day long

to a rebellious people,

who walk in a way that is not good,

following their own devices;

3 a people who provoke me

to my face continually,

sacrificing in gardens

and offering incense on bricks;

4 who sit inside tombs,

and spend the night in secret places;

who eat swine's flesh,

with broth of abominable things in their vessels;

5 who say, "Keep to yourself,

do not come near me, for I am too holy for you."

These are a smoke in my nostrils,

a fire that burns all day long.

6 See, it is written before me:

I will not keep silent, but I will repay;

I will indeed repay into their laps

7 their iniquities and their

ancestors' iniquities together,

qsays the LORD;

because they offered incense on the mountains

and reviled me on the hills,

I will measure into their laps

full payment for their actions.

8 Thus says the LORD:

As the wine is found in the cluster,

and they say, "Do not destroy it,

for there is a blessing in it,"

so I will do for my servants' sake,

and not destroy them all.

9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob,

and from Judah inheritors of my mountains;

my chosen shall inherit it,

and my servants shall settle there.

PSALM 42 & 43 (RCL)

Psal 42:1 (NRSV) As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and behold

the face of God?

3 My tears have been my food

day and night,

while people say to me continually,

"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember,

as I pour out my soul:

how I went with the throng,

and led them in procession to the house of God,

with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,

a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help 6 and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;

therefore I remember you

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mi'zar.

7 Deep calls to deep

at the thunder of your cataracts;

all your waves and your billows

have gone over me.

8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God, my rock,

"Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I walk about mournfully

because the enemy oppresses me?"

10 As with a deadly wound in my body,

my adversaries taunt me,

while they say to me continually,

"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help and my God.

43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause

against an ungodly people;

from those who are deceitful and unjust

deliver me!

2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;

why have you cast me off?

Why must I walk about mournfully

because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out your light and your truth;

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill

and to your dwelling.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God my exceeding joy;

and I will praise you with the harp,

O God, my God.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help and my God.

42   Quemadmodum     (ECUSA BCP)

1               As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *

     so longs my soul for you, O God.

2               My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *

     when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?

3               My tears have been my food day and night, *

     while all day long they say to me,

     "Where now is your God?"

4               I pour out my soul when I think on these things; *

     how I went with the multitude and led them into the

                        house of God,

5               With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *

     among those who keep holy-day.

6               Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *

     and why are you so disquieted within me?

7               Put your trust in God; *

     for I will yet give thanks to him,

     who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

8               My soul is heavy within me; *

     therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,

     and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.

9               One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; *

     all your rapids and floods have gone over me.

10             The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; *

     in the night season his song is with me,

     a prayer to the God of my life.

11             I will say to the God of my strength,

“Why have you forgotten me? *

     and why do I go so heavily while the enemy

                        oppresses me?”

12             While my bones are being broken, *

     my enemies mock me to my face;

13             All day long they mock me *

     and say to me, “Where now is your God?”

14             Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *

     and why are you so disquieted within me?

15             Put your trust in God; *

     for I will yet give thanks to him,

     who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

43   Judica me, Deus

1               Give judgment for me, O God,

and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *

     deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.

2               For you are the God of my strength;

why have you put me from you? *

     and why do I go so heavily while the enemy

                        oppresses me?

3               Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *

     and bring me to your holy hill

     and to your dwelling;

4               That I may go to the altar of God,

to the God of my joy and gladness; *

     and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.

5               Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *

     and why are you so disquieted within me?

6               Put your trust in God; *

     for I will yet give thanks to him,

     who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 63: 1 - 5, 7 - 8 (Roman Catholic)

Psal 63:1 (NRSV) O God, you are my God, I seek you,

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live;

I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,

and my mouth praises you with joyful lips

7 for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 22: 19 - 28 (alt. for RCL)

Psal 22:19 (NRSV) But you, O LORD, do not be far away!

O my help, come quickly to my aid!

20 Deliver my soul from the sword,

my life from the power of the dog!

21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!

From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;

stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24 For he did not despise or abhor

the affliction of the afflicted;

he did not hide his face from me,

but heard when I cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the LORD.

May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the LORD;

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before him.

28 For dominion belongs to the LORD,

and he rules over the nations.

22   Deus, Deus meus    (ECUSA BCP)

18             Be not far away, O Lord; *

     you are my strength; hasten to help me.

19             Save me from the sword, *

     my life from the power of the dog.

20             Save me from the lion's mouth, *

     my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.

21             I will declare your Name to my brethren; *

     in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.

22             Praise the Lord, you that fear him; *

     stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel;

     all you of Jacob's line, give glory.

23             For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;

neither does he hide his face from them; *

     but when they cry to him he hears them.

24             My praise is of him in the great assembly; *

     I will perform my vows in the presence of those who

                        worship him.

25             The poor shall eat and be satisfied,

and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: *

     “May your heart live for ever!”

26             All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to

                        the Lord, *

     and all the families of the nations bow before him.

27             For kingship belongs to the Lord; *

            he rules over the nations.

NEW TESTAMENT: Galatians 3: 23 - 29 (all)

Gala 3:23 (NRSV) Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 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. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

ome Jewish Christians have visited Galatia and argued that a right relationship with God comes through Mosaic law, but Paul argues that it is God’s promise(s) that establish this link. After all, Paul has written, God’s promise to Abraham predated the Law by centuries (v. 17). The Law was “added” (v. 19) because people deviated from God’s ways. It also came through a “mediator” (Moses), while the promise came directly (v. 20). The Law doesn’t “make alive” (v. 21), give life, so it doesn’t yield oneness with God. All of scriptural (Old Testament) tradition locks people into sinfulness, but God’s (new) promise of the gift of Christ is freely given to “those who believe” (v. 22): it is different; it gives life.

In v. 23, by “before faith came” Paul means before the Christian era , before the fulfilment of God’s promises. The word translated “disciplinarian” (v. 24) was used of a slave who supervised a child outside school hours. We were restricted in our development until Christ came. Living under the Law prepared the first Christians for Christ, for oneness, through faith, with God; however, now they are no longer subject to the Law. Baptism has implications for daily living (v. 27). Having taken on Christ, we are spiritually akin to Abraham (v. 29). Being “one in Christ” (v. 28), racial, social and gender differences are insignificant.

GOSPEL: Luke 8: 26 - 39 (RCL)

Luke 8:26 Then they arrived at the country of the Ger'asenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 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. 28 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"-- 29 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.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

32 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. 33 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.

34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 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. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Ger'asenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "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.

esus and his disciples arrive in Gerasa, a city some 30 km east of the Jordan – in Gentile territory. Ancient ideas of dementia were very different from ours:

·  demons were spirits of an evil kind, thought to do battle, as a “legion” (v. 30), with God and his allies;

·  they were thought to invade human bodies and personalities, causing mental (and some physical) illness, and taking control of people;

·  “the wilds” (v. 29, the desert) was the abode of demons and destructive forces;

·  “the abyss” (v. 31) was the realm of Satan and home to demons.

People who had been deprived of their liberty (e.g. prisoners) lost the right to wear clothes. “Tombs” (v. 27) were ritually unclean places. Jesus has power over evil forces (“fell down”, v. 28; “commanded”, v. 29). The man recognizes Jesus for whom he is. “Swine” (v. 32) were a symbol of pagan religion and of Roman rule: even they are subject to Jesus’ authority. Perhaps Luke predicts the fall of Rome in telling the fate of the swine (v. 33): that Roman legions will drown. The man not only sits “at the feet of Jesus” (v. 35), as disciples did, but becomes a missionary to fellow Gentiles (v. 39). This is a story of transformation; so dramatic is the change in the man that the people are “seized with ... fear” (v. 37): they can’t handle it.

What does Luke mean by “had been healed” (v. 36) or saved? Look at the changes in the man’s life:

·  from outside the city to inside it;

·  from living in tombs and being driven into the desert to living in a house;

·  from nakedness to being clothed; and

·  from being demented to being of sound mind.

From destructive isolation, he has become part of a nurturing, human community. He proclaims the good news. To Luke, a “house” (v. 27) is a home where one belongs, is a person, interacts with others, and exercises personal and communal rights and obligations, including moral ones.

© 1996-2019 Chris Haslam