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Sermons from St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco

Peter Levenstrong - June 22, 2025 - Living Stories Sermon

·30 min·3 clips
Jesus crosses into Gentile land and meets a naked, demon-possessed man living among tombs.
The episode begins by setting the context of Ordinary Time and introducing the story from Luke 8, where Jesus and his disciples travel to Gerasa, a Gentile area across Lake Galilee. The story involves a man possessed by demons named Legion, who lives naked among tombs, and Jesus healing him by allowing the demons to enter a herd of pigs, which then drown. Participants then engage in a group discussion, wondering why Jesus crossed into Gentile territory, with suggestions including evangelism, healing, and breaking down divisions between Jews and Gentiles. They connect this to a passage from Galatians about unity. The conversation shifts to personal experiences, such as starting a new class or joining a senior center, to relate to Jesus' mission. Demons are reinterpreted as modern traumas like addiction or harmful messages. The economic impact of the pigs' drowning is explored, noting the village's fear and request for Jesus to leave. The symbolism of Legion as a Roman military unit is discussed, with insights into transformation from rigid structures to chaos. Unintended consequences and double purification themes arise. A participant shares a story about finding a mentally ill woman named Leilani in their car, drawing parallels to the biblical narrative and expressing hope for healing. The discussion touches on political and ideological boundaries, with Jesus showing love across divisions. Questions about the pigs' innocence and colonialist narratives are raised. The episode ends with reflections on the good news of transformation and singing hallelujahs.

As heard by us

Luke 8's Gerasene story becomes a meditation on healing, power, and communal cost.

This Luke 8 sermon stays with the Gerasene demoniac, the pigs, and the Roman occupation behind them. It moves at a measured pace through the man among the tombs, the broken chains, the legion, and the herd driven into the water, and that slow handling gives the scene real weight.

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Why you'd press play

You get Luke 8 in Gerasa: tombs, pigs, Roman occupation, and a story that keeps raising questions.

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