The Children's Crumbs

From there Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syro-phoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Mark 7:24-37

Wondrous Creator you heal the world in due season

sending rain and snow to water our brittle planet

wild wind to dry the places that are bogged down

and green grasses to bring food for the grazing ones.

We walk on the sacred earth without much regard

we miss the footprints of our ancestors daily

we do not see you healing hand reaching out

as we are too busy filling our own bellies.

Yet too many go hungry and without care

you call us to be those who share what we have

you healed a mother's child and the silent one

even when you were far from your own people.

Let us follow you into the places of great need

into hostile and strange territories for your sake

let us keep mothing back following you lead

let us carry your love and good news with us today. Amen.