Praise the Lord!
Sing praises
Let joy fill lungs, hearts and minds
God of songful joy
build your people
gather outcasts
heal the broken hearted,
bind wounds.
God who counts each star
Calls us by name
understand without measure.
lift up the meek;
cast out wickedness
hear our confession
[Silence]
God of thankful song
hear the love melody
let grace fall like rain
let mercy grow like grass
let love sustain like fodder
hear the ravens call
take delight in the awe of creation
in those who hope for mercy.
Hymn
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy one, is here;
come bow before him now with reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found,
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy one, is here.
David Evans (1957-);© 1986 Thankyou Music
Bible Mark 1:21-28
Reflection We all have our demons. Things that disable us, frighten us, demean us. I have a little voice that says, “You can never do that.” I have a bright idea, I get all excited, start to plot, plan, scheme and then suddenly. “Don’t be stupid, no one is going to get involved in that.” I start to imagine what could be, the big thing that is going to really change everything – “You can’t afford it, there is no time, that isn’t what you should be concentrating upon.”
Sometimes that little voice is external, the teachers who said I couldn’t spell well enough to write anything. The athletics coaches who were always more interested in others. Those in congregations who claim, “None of us agree with you.” Often their voices are much louder than the ones who have encouraged me over the years. The negative memories loom larger than those that brought achievement.
Jesus stands in front of the congregation and they are amazed by his authority. I wonder what preconceptions they had that didn’t expect that level of eloquence and wisdom? Was it where he came from? The way he looked? His family background? So often we are judging people before they even open their mouths, we think we know whether they are worth listening to. How often have we been surprised by a voice that doesn’t meet our preconceptions?
Jesus speaks with authority, and one of those demons decides to interrupt. Is this someone who believes they have so much privilege that they have the right to be heard? Is this someone whose own demons are too much for them and they need to intervene? Is this someone who is so frightened of the good news that Jesus brings, that they just have to close it down? For good news disables the fear that demons thrive upon.
Jesus draws out the demons and the demon proclaims who Jesus is, they just can’t help themselves – Holy One! They speak with such authority that the people have to look again, search their own response. For the recognition of holiness can both delight and appall. We can gather to it, or we can circle wide keeping our distance. Which is it to be?
Jesus recognises this demon. “Be silent.” He commands. For the demons believe that those with loudest voices get to decide the agenda, determine who has access to the community, create the narrative that all must believe. Those who keep speaking know that therefore they do not need to listen to other voices, for all other voices are silenced, ignored, irrelevant. When Jesus commands silence, now there is the opportunity for other voices to be heard, other stories to come to the fore, other ideas to emerge and be fertilised. A space for new teaching to be absorbed as fresh memory.
What are we to do with our demons? How do we create space to hear the voice of Jesus, the Holy One of God, bring us new teaching? Where is the silence that fills our heart? Where does the fame of Jesus astound and astonish all who hear?
Hymn
Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
you have chosen me to be–
you have drawn me to your wonder,
you have set your sign on me.
Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)
Prayers
Where death dominates
may life be found.
Where fear enslaves
may life be found.
Where grief overwhelms
may life be found.
Where hunger impedes
may life be found.
Where injustice breeds
may life be found.
Where anger embitters
may life be found.
Where prejudice disables
may life be found.
Where disease grows
may life be found.
Where greed impoverishes
may life be found.
Where disability encumbers
may life be found.
Where evil darkens
may life be found.
Where belief falters
may life be found.
Where love’s lost
may life be found.
Where doubt whispers
may life be found.
Where ideas wither
may life be found.
Where eloquence deceives
may life be found.
Where wisdom stutters
may life be found.
Where bias decides
may life be found.
Where privilege intervenes
may life be found.
Where hints divide
may life be found.
Where agendas silence
may life be found.
Where holiness appalls
may life be found.
Where accents cleave
may life be found.
Where stories collide
may life be found.
Where teaching tears
may life be found.
Where destruction dictates
may life be found.
Craig Muir
Hymn
The voice of God goes out to all the world;
his glory speaks across the universe.
The Great King’s herald cries from star to star:
With power, with justice, he will walk his way.
The Lord has said: ‘Receive my messenger,
My promise to the world, my pledge made flesh,
A lamp to every nation, light from light’:
With power, with justice, he will walk his way.
Luke Connaughton (1917-1979)
