Wednesday, November 15, 2023

He entered a house there where he didn’t think he would be found, but he couldn’t escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter. He said, “Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.”  She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?”  (Mark 7: 25 -28, The Message Bible)

                 Our grand-dog, Finzi, has been staying with us for a few days, this week. Maggie brought him when she came home for a visit. He is a large, jet-black Newfoundland. But he is also a gentle giant, very loving and a joy to have around, even if he can be a bit expressive from time to time. “I am a Newfoundland, hear me woof!”

                And like any good grandparent, I spoiled him considerably while he was here. This meant I gave him crusts of my toast at breakfast, pieces of my sandwich or potato chips at lunch and strands of linguine at supper. So did Susan. Table scraps indeed. Who could resist those big eyes? It was that or get drowned in Newfoundland drool!

                The Gentile women challenged Jesus: “But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?”

                Have you ever noticed that it is often women in the Gospel stories who are most likely to dare to confront Jesus? Immediately, there comes to mind the Samaritan woman at the well who engages Jesus in a long debate. But there are others who defy social boundaries, brave others’ scorn or get in Jesus’ face, as they might say today. Martha gets annoyed when Jesus won’t send Mary back into the kitchen to help out with dinner and scolds Jesus. Both Mary and Martha rebuke Jesus when he didn’t arrive in timer to save their dying brother. The woman who touched his robes secretly had no business touching Jesus but she did. The woman who anointed his feet with precious perfume had no business at the dinner party as others noted but she broke the gender barrier and customs just the same. Even his mother, in telling him what to do at the wedding in Cana and although he “talks back”, he does what she says just the same.

                Then, there is this woman, a foreigner, a gentile, an outsider, a stranger, perhaps poor, all indicating that there is very little importance or significance about her. But she needs Jesus’ help with the health of her daughter. And she won’t be put off easily. She begged. How humiliating; how needy; how humbling!

                It first appears that Jesus sends her back to the end of the line. We are reading these days how Food Banks can no longer keep up with such high demands. So, imagine if you are standing already at the back of the line at a food bank and the door slams in your face just as you get to it. This is the woman’s dilemma. Jesus affirms that his current mission is for his own people, the Jews. When that is done, he will consider her request. “Stand in line and take your turn.”

                Perhaps, it was just a test for the woman or perhaps a lesson for his disciples but it seemed somewhat unusual for Jesus to be so nationalistic.  I guess, at first glance, it would be like a Palestinian asking for help from an Israeli, these days. Not going to happen. This woman might get the dregs of Jesus’ compassion and assistance but it seemed little else.

                But the woman is persistent, like the woman in Jesus’ parable about the persistent widow and the judge (Luke 18: 2 -8) Let’s take note as to how this parable concludes: “So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?” (Luke 18: 6 -8, TMB)

                The woman with her tenacious faith moves the needle of Jesus’ love and compassion. No longer just for the chosen people but for the whole world. This needful Gentile woman expands his heart, already overflowing with Love, to engage even her with the Good News of God’s restorative Love and Mercy.

                “Jesus was impressed. ‘You’re right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone.” She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good.’” (Mark 7: 29 – 30, TMB)

                This episode reveals how faith in Jesus breaks down old and persistent barriers and ugly labels which divide us, which are then used to deny help and assistance. It also reveals the generous magnitude of Jesus’ Mission of Kingdom building which works outside those same boxes that we have put each other in.  Finally, the story reminds us of the value of a persistent, perseverant and insistent faith which does not give into the negatives, the limitations, the restrictions that society or religion lays upon us.

                All of us, any of us, deserve more than just table scraps but the full blessings of Jesus’ banquet table.

                “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5: 6, New Living Translation)

 

Dale