Today is the First Sunday after Trinity, when the Gospel reading is taken from Luke’s account of the healing of Legion. This narrative demonstrates once again Jesus’ power over the forces of evil. This time the forces of evil are great indeed. The man was called Legion, for many demons had entered him. When exorcised the demons were so powerful that they destroyed a whole herd of swine. Such clear evidence of Jesus’ power over evil deserved broadcasting. The healed man went away proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of sharing good news. In today’s picture from one of their books in the World Faiths Today series, Rees and Sara are sharing good news with their friends Michael and Anna.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you told Legion

to proclaim your healing power to the world.

Empower us to proclaim to others

everything you have done in our lives,

that your name may be praised;

for you are our God,

now and always.

Amen.

Next week, the Second Sunday after Trinity, is also the Feast of St Peter. The reading from Matthew’s Gospel brings us to the event in the district of Caesarea Philippi where Peter recognises Jesus as the Messiah, and where Jesus established Peter as the rock on which he will build his Church. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is rocks. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.

Preparation Resources

Education Resources