Even the Dogs

From there he 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 Syrophoenician 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 

We live in an era where our pets are treated as adored children, and many of our children are showered with toys and attention. Not that long ago, dogs, cats and children all had a working role in the life of a family. Folks had children to help support the family farm or business and put them to work at very early ages. Dogs helped with hunting and trapping as well as herding and protection. Cats were used to keep homes and barns free of mice, rats and other vermin. The exchange between Jesus and this mother has been profound in my life. She was determined to convince him of the value of her daughter.  Why Jesus initially pushes back I might never understand, but I do know what it is like to fight for a child. I have taken doctors, teachers, principals and others to task on behalf of my children. And love always wins out and Jesus affirms that. A heart of love always brings healing.

Loving Creator, source of all our blessings

you listen to our cries like a loving parent

you stand in for us when we cannot speak

and you ache for us to be completely whole.

We get accustomed to our brokenness

we defend our unwillingness to be healed

mental and emotional behaviors amuse

and yet you come among us to bring healing.

Help us to see the places needing healing

let us examine our hearts and our minds

help us to change our attitudes and behaviors

so love may again pour into our hearts from you. Amen.