The Gospel of Crazy Pigs

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 7C

Luke 8:26-39

St. Matthias

There are several things I have never done in Church.  I have never spilled a chalice of wine on the altar.  I’ve seen it done before.  I don’t plan to ruin my record this morning.  Matthew, you will like this one – I have never played the organ in Church – never played the piano either. You should all be glad.  I have never excommunicated anyone, but I can if you are living what the Book of Common Prayer describes as a “notoriously evil life” or if you are “a scandal to the other members of the congregation.”  I can do it.  You can read all about it in the BCP on page 409.  I have also never taken part in an exorcism and believe it or not there are actually instructions for such a service – not in the Book of Common Prayer – but in what is called the Book of Occasional Services.  Basically, these instructions say that if I think any of you are in need of an exorcism – I am supposed to CALL THE BISHOP! 

           And I am ok with that.  I really don’t want to have to deal with someone like the man described in today’s Gospel reading.  Jesus and the disciples took a boat across the Sea of Galilee and as Jesus steps onto the land, he is met by a man wearing no clothes and acting like you would expect a man possessed by demons to act.  Phyllis and I saw the spot where all of this took place on our trip to Israel.  It is a group of tombs inside caves carved into the side of a pretty tall hill.  It actually looks a little scary.  And this man comes running and screaming toward Jesus.  Actually, it’s the demons who are speaking and they want Jesus not to send them back to hell!  This is one of just a handful of times the Bible talks about people being possessed by demons.  There is only one case in the Old Testament and even then, it is just someone saying that King David acted like he had a demon.  Jesus and the Apostles do come face to face with evil spirits and demons on a handful of occasions in the New Testament, but not nearly as many times as people tend to think.  Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry far more often.  In the Gospel of Matthew, He did tell Peter to quit acting like Satan – but I think Jesus was just trying to get Peter’s attention so he would quit acting way too holier-than-thou!  Most of the exorcisms I have seen WERE on TV where they should be.  Besides – exorcisms look like they take a long time and none of us want to be late for lunch.

           Now Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell us this story – which means that it was and is a pretty important event.  And as I read it this week, there were several parts I found interesting.  I never thought about demons not wanting to go back to hell – but it makes sense.  Why would anyone or anything – demons, devils, and evil spirits included - want to be separated from the love of God. Since God is in all places at all times and loves us all then I have to believe that God loves even the demons.  And if God can love a demon then I am certain that it is much easier for God to love us. 

           Now I had never thought about this before – but why send the demons from the man to the pigs.  I mean what’s Jesus got against pigs.  It’s not like that would save the demons from going back to hell because no sooner does this "Biblical Transfer" takes place than the pigs go running into the lake and are drowned.  Now the Gospel of Mark tells us that there were over 2000 pigs in the herd and I stood on top of this hill in Israel and it is quite a distance from the Sea of Galilee so what we have here are lots of pigs running a long way.  No wonder the people living in the area wanted Jesus to LEAVE. 

           But look at the last verse of the Gospel.  At the very end of the story, this previously possessed man goes and proclaims throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.  He had gone from wild and naked to sitting at the feet of the Savior, fully clothed, and in his right mind.  He wanted to follow Jesus.  Sitting in this Church is often the sanest moment of my week.  When every day has been filled with work and meetings and travel, I can come and sit and know the presence of God.  I love to sing and whether it is Malcolm leading us at 8:00 am or Matthew and the choir at the 10:30 Eucharist I often have that feeling that I may actually be a part of a heavenly chorus.  There are communion and fellowship which happen together both at this altar rail and around the coffee pot in the narthex or down in the parish hall on second Sundays.  The peace I experience in the Church truly does pass all understanding and I can only believe that it is because Christ is here.  And what this story tells us is that the same can be true throughout our week.  When your life and schedule are crazy, sit in the presence of God.  Find a quiet place and a chair and know that Christ is with you.  Take our bulletin insert and read the story of a wild man who found peace – offer the prayer – re-live your St. Matthias experience every day – Monday through Saturday.  Now others may notice that you look rather peaceful when the rest of the world is acting crazy.  Tell them what Jesus does for you at St. Matthias on Sunday and every other day.  You will be following God.  There will be no need for exorcisms or excommunications, and you can leave the pigs alone.  And I still haven’t spilled any wine.  AMEN.