mamabishop: Sunday, September 8, 2024 Proper 18

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Sunday, September 8, 2024 Proper 18

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 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

Growing up we always had a dog in our family. When I was a teenager, I loved calling our dog by a variety of names of various vacuum cleaner brands, including Hoover, Electrolux and the like. If there was food involved, no matter what I called our dog, they would come. They would clean up messes with great joy when it involved food. All of us were grateful for all the crumbs the family dog would consume. They were always part of the family. The woman that asked Jesus for the healing of her child was maybe shocked but not intimidated by his rebuff. She knew that the family of God is large and includes all sorts and conditions. Although she was an outsider, she clearly understood the power of God's love. God's love and healing is not limited for those in the know, the club or members of an elite group and her daughter was made better, by the love of God and a Savior that brings healing for us all.

A Sunday Litany

Gracious Creator, who made us one family

we are all part of one heart, one single herd

no matter how far we stray away from you

you make room at the table and call us home.