First Sunday after Trinity 2025 St Andrew’ Milngavie
Today we celebrated the 1st Sunday after Trinity accompanied by Alison.
Thursday was a very special day at St Andrew’s as we celebrated the marriage of Alan and Kate. The sun shone, the church was beautifully decorated for the service and everyone was looking summery and happy. It was a very thoroughly joyful occasion! We wish Alan and Kate all the best for their future together as we continue to pray for them.
This Week
Tuesday 10am – Prayer Group in the Garden Room
Wednesday 2.30pm – Book Group – Angela’s
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House.
Readings for next Sunday – 2nd Sunday after Trinity – Feast of St Peter and St Paul – Acts 12:1-11 2 Timothy 4:4-8,17-18 Matthew 16:13-19
Today’s readings – Isaiah 65:1-9, Gal 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39
I have always had a fascination for mosaics and embroidery – I think it’s that one small stitch or piece of stone meaningless on its own but when part of a whole picture plays a very significant part….it’s probably why I have always enjoyed jigsaws.
Today in our gospel we have the story of legion. It’s a rather strange story of healing and redemption. But in an odd way reflects the concept of the Jigsaw puzzle, mosaic and a fine tapestry .
It begins with the man’s name. ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asks, ‘Legion;’ he replies.
He may call himself Legion but that is not his true name. Historically Legion refers to a Roman army unit of about 6000 soldiers. So, when this man says that he is Legion he is implying, “I have been overrun. I am overwhelmed. My life is broken into 6000 pieces.”
This man is lost to himself, he no longer understands who he is. He has been dispossessed of himself and his humanity. His life has been shattered into pieces. He is alien to himself and alienated from his life. All this leaves him vulnerable, naked, exposed, and unclothed. He no longer lives in a house in the city, but in the tombs.
We may not be living quite like that but I’m sure perhaps sometimes we can feel a bit like Legion. There are times when we lose our bearings in life and are not certain what direction we are going in. It can be a place and time of separation, loneliness, and isolation.
I’m sure each of us could talk about a time when our life felt like was shattered and left in thousands of pieces. Pieces that we just could not put back together – dreams, hopes, bereavements, disappointments, faith and beliefs.
Whatever the cause…….. We have an idea what it is like to be Legion. To be in that place.
But it is precisely into that place which Christ comes. Jesus comes to the Legion of our lives. He did for the man in today’s gospel, and he does for each one of us. Jesus steps out onto the land of Legion.
He comes to us as the one with inner clarity, focus, knowing, and understanding. He is the presence of unity, wholeness, and integration. He is the image of who we are and who we can become. That’s why we continue to seek and follow Jesus as our teacher, guide, and saviour – our Good Shepherd.
In the gospel Jesus approaches the tombs in which this man lives. He is not distracted by the man’s condition, not repulsed by the man’s nakedness or appearance. He is not limited by the chains and shackles that bind this man’s life. He is unchallenged by the guard. Legion holds no power over Jesus.
“When the man 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?”
Then something interesting happens. Jesus asks his name. He recognises that the man has a precious identity. The man replies “My name is legion”
In other words, he sees himself as being thousands of people – the size of a Roman legion. No other words are spoken, either by the man or Jesus. But in that encounter with Jesus the man’s innermost, raging, tumultuous self is brought to stillness and peace.
Jesus comes to this man; he dispels the demons and makes him whole. He puts the different pieces together and reveals his true self.
Yes, we perhaps know what it is like to be Legion. We can tell that story. It’s our story also of our how our life can be put back together, how we can be given back ourselves, how we can be seated at the feet of Jesus, restored, forgiven and made whole.
The reading does not ask us to convert anyone to Christ as such but simply requests that we tell people what Jesus has done and what difference he makes in our lives. That is all we are asked to do; the rest is the work of the Holy Spirit, all we are asked to do is to proclaim the Gospel and tell of the difference Christ has made to us.
This is the story Jesus wants told. It’s a story that needs to be told!
“Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you.”