Mailout for 19 June 2022 (Pentecost 2 Trinity 1 OS 12, Year C)

Dear People of God

I watched a superb film on Friday evening: one which I shall have to mull over for some time: “The Two Popes”, on Netflix. It covers the period from the death of Pope John Paul II, the election Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVII and the eventual election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis. The historical bones are there and, like the series “The Crown”, much has to be based on speculation built on allusions to known history. It deals with the struggles of the Roman church to come to terms with the 21st century and the monumental changes which have taken place in modern society. Those struggles apply equally to the Anglican community throughout the world. Thank God for the increasing depth of relationship between our two communions (and, pray God, that will lead to eventual full reconciliation and mutuality) because they are issues that confront all of modern Christianity. It’s about the struggles of vocation, about repentance and forgiveness, about reconciliation and respect…..and much more. It makes one realise just how heavy a burden we lay on popes, on bishops, on all religious leaders as well as all sorts of leaders in our society and underlines our duty to pray earnestly for them as they make some very difficult decisions.

I remind you of the Parish Luncheon on 29 June, which is fast approaching. Invite your friends, your family neighbours and family, and let us know as soon as possible or even earlier (!) for catering purposes.

The bus for Gail’s ordination is full. If you intend going and still require transport please let me know immediately and we will see what arrangement can be made. No promises we can’t keep!

It’s been a VERY full week and this is being prepared at the last moment.

The Lord be with you

Fr George

gmainprize@bigpond.com 0410 586 119

COLLCT and READINGS for the Second Sunday after Pentecost (1st after Trinity, Ordinary Sunday 12)

Sentence

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)

Pour out upon us, O God, the power and wisdom of your Spirit, so that we, having been baptised into Christ and made your children through faith. May know your Son’s power to heal, and, being made one in him, may overcome all that divides us; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 Kings 1-4, 5-15a A revelation to Elijah

Psalms 42,43 In the midst of despair, maintain trust in God

Galatians 3:10-14, 23-29 True freedom found in faith in Christ

Luke 8:26-39 Jesus heals the Gerasene demoniac

SERMON (Deacon-Designate Gail)

In the Name of God. Amen

In the Gospel today we hear the story of the healing of the demon-possessed man by Jesus. If we look at where this is situated within the Gospel of Luke, we find that it is immediately after the disciples and Jesus had almost been drowned in the storm on the sea of Galilee. We can imagine them being blown up on shore after the storm and finding a secluded spot where they could regain their composure and take refuge. I wonder whether they thought about the fact that it appeared to be lonely before the madman came screaming down the hillside towards them. What a sight he must have been!!! We then hear that it is in fact a graveyard.

If we look closely at the story, we find that we are in Gentile country, this is evident by the fact that the herdsmen were looking after pigs – the Jews do not eat pork as it is ritually unclean. The storm had blown them across the sea towards country that was not theirs and they had strayed into a foreign land.

Jesus changes one man’s life forever by driving out the demons and in the process, he is disturbing the status quo – many people’s lives will be changed unwillingly. The locals have come to accept the demon possessed man, they have developed a way to deal with him and his disruption of the economy. Imagine if you will life with a demon possessed man. It could not have been easy – he terrified neighbourhoods, was a cause of fear for parents of young children, was a public nuisance and embarrassment when friends from out of town would come to visit. If you can put yourself in the place of the locals who have witnessed the transformation of the healed man, what would you be thinking about the stranger who had arrived on your shores and healed this man? Would you be worried about what would be likely to occur next – what more changes would he bring to upset things? Maybe it is easier to send him on his way then to invite him in.

Have you thought of the cost to the local herdsmen of losing so many pigs? Some commentators have said that the number of pigs could have been between 2000 to 6000 – that is an incredibly large hole in bank accounts!! We can all appreciate the enormous cost that would have been to the local economy. If we were in their situation, would we be keen to have our livelihood taken away from us? There is another possible problem that could be caused by the healing of the man – the local community would have had to find a job for him to do – what if he still had family living in the area, would they be prepared to welcome him back with no complaints? Would they be able to trust that he would not have a relapse?

The sight of the man who had been possessed by demons sitting quietly with Jesus, dressed and sane would probably have unsettled a few people. What would you think about this if you were in the same situation? Obviously, the locals were sufficiently upset that they decided not to take the risk of further disruptions to themselves, so they asked Jesus to leave. Maybe if he left things would return to normal, if he left, they could breathe easy.

As is so often the case with Jesus when he heals us of our afflictions, he also challenges us to do something with our lives in return. Here in this story Jesus tells the healed man who wanted to accompany him, to stay within his community and to tell others about how he had been healed. Perhaps Jesus had thought that if he left the healed man in his community, he would be able to spread the message of the difference that he had made in his life and spread the message of God’s love to those who would hear him. He has a job to do in his community and we also have a job to do within our local area -- spreading the good news of what he is doing in our lives.

Are you willing to be a witness to God in Beresfield and Thornton? Will you be able to tell others what he has done for you and the difference that he has made in your life?

INTERCESSIONS (Deacon-Designate Gail)

The response to our prayers is: God our healer, hear our prayer.

We pray for the preservation of the earth: for reverence and respect for its diverse ecosystems; for places where waters are polluted, reefs exploited, and forests cut down. Cast out our demons of destruction and greed and reclothe us in your spirit, that we may learn to live in harmony with creation.

God our healer, hear our prayer.

God of love and compassion, you are always more ready to hear and help than we are to pray; help us to know that you are with us now and always and that you are a very present help in trouble. We remember all who thirst for God, we pray for pilgrims and seekers. In the wider church we pray for our sister Diocese of Guadalcanal; the Anglican Episcopal Church of Japan, Orthodox Churches; and in Australia the Diocese of North West Australia.

God our healer, hear our prayer.

We pray in this Diocese for our Bishop Peter, for our Bishops Assisting Charlie, and Sonia; for Scone Grammar School; for Diocesan Ordinands and for the parish of Branxton Greta Lochinvar. In this parish we pray for our priests George, and Sharon, our Ordinand Gail and their families, for those preparing for baptism and for our Mothers Union. We pray for Tarro Uniting Church.

God our healer, hear our prayer.

We thank you for all who have shared their love and peace with us; we pray for our homes and our loved ones. We pray for homes where there is trouble, for destitute families, for those who have been evicted or driven out of their homes. We pray for homes where there is neglect or abuse. In our local community we pray for Sneddon and Partners; United Petrol Station and Dr Singh.

God our healer, hear our prayer.

We pray for comfort and healing of all in need; for those whose minds are troubled or confused; for the grief-stricken, the lonely, the sick and the dying. Cast out our demons of terror and despair and reclothe us in your spirit, that all who suffer may know your calming presence. Especially today we pray for those who have asked for our prayers Lynn, Betty, Barbara, Val ; those who seek healing of body, mind or spirit through the sacrament of Holy Unction; those on our regular prayer list and those known only to us.

God our healer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your mercy on all who have died: those whom we have loved and remember. We pray for Marilyn Cook who has died this week; for Eileen Connors, Joan Page, Charlotte Moore, May Bielefield and Francis Harwood whose anniversary of death is at this time. Cast out from us all that keeps us bound in the chains of death, that, with your saints, we may be brought to a joyful resurrection, to live for ever in your presence.

+Rest eternal, grant to them O Lord; and let your light perpetual shine upon them.

Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers: Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINTS and COMMEMORATIONS of the Week 19-25 June

22 Alban, the first British martyr (c 209) was a native Briton who sheltered a priest fleeing by persecution the occupying Romans and who was converted by the priest’s piety and example. When the soldiers arrived to capture the priest Alban wrapped himself in the priest’s cloak and so sheltered the priest: he was subsequently beheaded, becoming the first native British martyr. His restored shrine is in the magnificent St Alban’s Abbey, which is also the cathedral of the diocese of the same name.

23 Etheldreda, abbess of Ely (c 678) (England) was a Saxon princess who eventually founded the abbey, which is now the cathedral, in the Cambridgeshire town of Ely. The abbey became known as a significant centre of learning as Anglo-Saxon rule was being established after the departure of the Romans

24 Birth of John the Baptist like Samuel, the great Judge of Israel in the time of the establishment of the kingdom of Israel, was a child born of promise to a woman Elizabeth, thought to be past child-bearing. John, as we know, went on to become “the second Elijah” and is regarded as the last of the prophets and who ushered in the person and ministry Jesus the Christ.