Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4th Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;
Isaiah 51:17-23; Galatians 4:1-11; Mark 7:24-37:
“But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28).
So this Syrophoenician Gentile woman doesn’t mind being treated less than human for the sake of her daughter. She goes to another religion, another culture, another tradition to find God on earth in the person of Jesus. She humbles herself enough to accept the leftovers of grace and healing for the benefit of her child. There is no doubt in her mind that this Jesus can cure her daughter, it’s a matter of “will” he?
What I learn from her is to humble myself for the sake of others. Jesus is a loving and sacrificial healer and needs to know that the requester is loving and sacrificial as well. This is about accepting whatever we can get for the sake of the other. Jesus also models the art of changing one’s mind through listening compassion. Thank you Jesus.
Today we remember Anskar, Bishop and Missionary of Denmark and Sweden (February 3, 523) and the Dorchester Chaplains of 1943 and their information may be found at: Anskar; and The Dorchester Chaplains, respectively.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God 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.
Let us pray:
Most Holy Lord God, who loved us into being and gave us one another. Teach us, we pray, to always humbly come to you in our struggles to help others in whatever kind of need they might have, for you have shown us that You will hear our plea on behalf of others because You are always merciful and loving. Amen.
onewhoponders 