by The Rev. Ted Staton
March, 31, 2015

Gerasene Demoniac

Parts of Mark 5: Jesus came to Gerasa and met a man who had broken his chains among the tombs. Night and day he was always howing and bruising himself with stones. Jesus said, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit. Later, people of  the city came out and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind.

Who would expect the Christ to walk among us today, much less to dwell among us.

Bible school – a happy event – children singing, Bible stories, Play acting, dress up in Mama Zine’s room.  Singing – Y – OH – You,   Y-OH- you…  Then in burst a scream to out-do the loudest horror movie – no words, just a long, repeated set of screams – as one possessed   EEEEEEEEEEEEE. Gasp  EEEEEEEEE etc.  What is wrong with this uncontrollable young child?  Then I see it – the Christ (had to be- right?) takes the young screaming  fellow in her arms and sits on the floor to rock slowly back and forth – “Shhhhh, it’s OK.  Be in peace, Shhhhh “ ever so quietly.  As suddenly as it began, the screaming stopped and the child sat clothed in his right mind.

Wow, I guessed I imagined all that.  BUT then later, the exact same scenario again, and then next day again.

The blind see, the deaf hear and the poor have good news preached to them.

We all seek the Christ – “Heal me hands of Jesus”    We long to hear:  “Shhhhh, it’s OK.”

May it be so this Holy Week.

Amen.