Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4th Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;
Isaiah 51:17to 23; Galatians 4:1to11; Mark 7:24to37:
“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.” (Mark 7:28 to 30)
The mother was not an Israelite. Once again our Lord Jesus made it clear that the blessings and grace of God are inclusive of all people. They are for all people regardless of biology, language, nationality, political party, orientation or gender.
For the mother’s part, she had to step down from any notion of not being Jewish to believing that God in this Jesus person could, and would, help her if she believed strong enough.
So the same is true for us today. Although Judaism is a faith that may be predominately made up of a certain ethnicity, it is still a faith. This faith that originated with Father Abraham, went down to Egypt, and back again to the Promised Land, now called the Holy Land by many people of Judeo-Christian Faith. But it is still a faith, not a race. None of humanity is a race as far as I am concerned. And I know that I am pretty much alone with this understanding. I’m okay with this.
We humans still have demons. Labels of race are demonic. All of us are the dogs under the table. We await our food in faith. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 