Background for the New Testament reading:
Paul is describing two routes to salvation. First, that of those who know the Law, the Jews: although they have the Law, its purpose has been to show what is right and wrong, not to provide salvation because it is not possible for anyone to create such perfection. Their salvation comes through the covenant of faith in God, which begins with Abraham. The Gentiles who did not know the Law are brought to salvation because they are now included in the people of God, not because they are now going to be obedient to the Law but because they, too, now believe—they are adopted into Abraham’s covenant. So the two routes are really the same, and there is no division—all are one in Christ.
Questions to ponder:
Paul says there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. In his first letter to the Corinthians he insists that the Eucharist must be celebrated without any social divisions, but he could not have imagined these divisions being erased in any practical way outside of the church’s ritual gathering. However, over the centuries, Christians have worked on the real world implications of this spiritual equality. How do you see that vision of unity playing out now in our world? What should Christians be doing to demonstrate God’s love for all?
Paul has a hard time explaining how the Law can be good if its only purpose is to point out what we are doing wrong. Is it good to have such standards, even if we don’t live up to them? What role does the Law (found in the 10 Commandments) play in your spiritual life?
Background to the Gospel
We don’t really understand our problems in terms of demonic possession as did the people of Jesus’ day, and such an understanding of mental health isn’t even helpful now. But with a little imaginative use of metaphor, we can recognize how we, too, are caught by forces beyond our control. Our Baptismal service calls us to take a stand against the “evil powers of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.” We don’t have to believe in demonic possession to see that there is a conflict between powers of life and death and that many are caught in destructive lifestyles and patterns beyond their control.
Take a look at how many things you have purchased lately because advertising told you that you had to have them—one example of the “powers of this world.” With that in mind, how does our faith in Jesus give us the strength to fight back? Pay attention to other ways media attempts to sway your opinions and behavior. What other “powers” come to mind?
All Jesus does on this trip is to heal one man. He then turns around and goes back the way he came, suggesting that this healing might have been the only purpose for the journey. Think about what that tells us about the importance of one lost soul—you might remember the story of the shepherd who searches for the one lost sheep. What does that tell you about your importance to Christ? What do you do about that identity?
Jesus does not allow the man to accompany him back, but instead commissions him as an evangelist—to go home and tell everyone about what God has done (notice that the man tells everyone about Jesus). What might it have been like for the man to return home after being ill for so long? How do you imagine his story was received? Have you ever had a time when you have been able to tell those close to you about the rewards of being a believer? What is it like to share your story?