In the Gospel reading Sunday, Mark asks us to take seriously the power of evil present in our world. But we are to take more seriously and trust with all who follow and do the will of God, that it is Jesus who embodies the power of God. Jesus work of casting out demons is ascribed as demonic, or from the devil. Mark warns that blasphemy, ascribing to the devil that which is divine, is a sin that cannot be forgiven. Thankfully this contrasts with other biblical passages that indicate that God will always forgive.

We do have a tendency thought to judge those we see as somehow "possessed" by demons, those who abuse alcohol, drugs, or others sexually or violently. We demonize others as monsters and condemn them by ostracizing them in the media, in prisons, and even through murderous retribution. Some would say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon Bombing monster got what he deserved with the federal death sentence.

If we are made in God's image (and God says we are), we cannot be monsters. If we do the will of God, we are called to cast out demons and bring healing, not called to demonize, judge, or  kill one another. Christian singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens reminds us we are both saint and sinner in his bold and haunting song "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." about the serial killer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otx49Ko3fxw

"....And in my best behavior I am really just like him.
Look beneath the floor boards for the secrets I have hid."

It is easy to demonize others especially when they do evil, but Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn reminds us that "the line between good and evil runs through our hearts." Thankfully, Jesus casts out all your demons, forgives all the secrets you have hid, and loves you no matter how many saintly or sinful things you have done, because you are a child of God, made in god's image.

Photo Directories are In! If you participated in the photo directory, please pick up your directory in the back of the church. Each directory has the parishioners name on it. If you were not able to participate, and wish to receive a directory, please write your name on the list on bulletin board in the parish hall and we will see that you have one reserved for you. We only received a small number of extra directories. If you have any questions, please contact Donna in the office. Thank you.