The following comes from the Lenten series “When the Path Gets Rocky, 2018”

Mark 5:1-13

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, "Send us into the swine; let us enter them." So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What are the “demons” that are unruly in your spirit? What are the places in your life that you find yourself isolated from others? When do you feel most disconnected with God?

FIVE-MINUTE STORY:

Every year in the springtime and autumn - like the seasonal blooming of the crocus and the falling of the leaves- Neil would pop up at the church office. He was a wanderer and lived without a home. He had long scraggly, unkept hair with a beard to match. His earth toned clothes hung on his body in a deflated manner.

The first time I encountered Neil, I was taken aback and startled by his appearance. In a respectful and humble manner, he asked for a few dollars. Normally, I am very suspicious of such requests. I usually listen, however, to the hardship story that always follows. If it sounds sincere, then I will extend some resources and wish them on their way. True to my practice, I listened to Neil tell his story.

Neil told me of his travels up and down the eastern seaboard. He moved in the direction of warmth - south in the winter, north in the summer (he didn’t like it too warm.) He was well spoken and belied a lot of my personal stereotypes. The first of my semi-annual visits from Neil finished in a congenial manner with a laugh or two. I later learned from my colleague, Pastor Mac, that Neil was a seasonal visitor - Spring and Fall. Every year. He'd come and we would help him out.

The last time that I saw Neil, it was in the spring. He visited Faith Lutheran Church around lunchtime. At the time, I was taking a doctoral class on eucharist and the role that meals played in the faith formation of the early Church. An actual meal was part of the weekly worship life of the first Christians. They shared this meal (or didn’t - see 1 Corinthians 11:17-22) with all who gathered - rich and poor ate in communion together. What is more, when they broke bread they understood that the Risen Christ was present among them. This insight inspired me to ask Neil a question. Would you like to go to lunch?

I drove us to a nearby diner. There we ordered sandwiches and had time to talk over strong coffee. I learned something of Neil’s story and struggle. Neil shared anecdotes from his travels -about which towns and churches extended welcome and which did not. Life was not easy for Neil. He had his share of demons and trials. We didn’t get into much detail. In a way resembling Neil’s travels, our conversation wandered and rambled as we consumed our French fries.

When we finished lunch, I asked him if he needed a ride. When I arrived at the corner that he requested, he shook my hand with thanks. As his large and shaggy frame exited my vehicle, his wrinkled and weather-worn face bore a smile.