The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the valuable contribution that other people make to the wholeness of our being.
 |
| Building wholeness |
The Book of Genesis relates the Yahwist description of the gift of a well suited partner for Adam in the The Garden of Eden.
* [2:18] Helper suited to him: lit., “a helper in accord with him.” “Helper” need not imply subordination, for God is called a helper (Dt 33:7; Ps 46:2). The language suggests a profound affinity between the man and the woman and a relationship that is supportive and nurturing.1
In the Gospel from Mark the Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith is declared as Jesus draws from her evidence of her humility and cleverness.
* [7:27–28] The figure of a household in which children at table are fed first and then their leftover food is given to the dogs under the table is used effectively to acknowledge the prior claim of the Jews to the ministry of Jesus; however, Jesus accedes to the Gentile woman’s plea for the cure of her afflicted daughter because of her faith.2
Amy Hoover comments that Jesus responded to her request a little sharply, some might say out of character? The woman doesn’t back down, she is persistent. But what struck her most today is that Jesus took in her words and changed his mind. In her imagination there was much more conversation than these couple of lines. Jesus was open to her story and her perspective on things. There was more of a dialogue. He considered her argument, changed his mind and healed her daughter.
This story spoke to me today about the importance of engaging in conversation with those who have a different perspective than our own. In this story, Jesus was able to receive from another. He did not presume that he had or knew the whole truth. He was open to learning and accepting a different view. In today’s words, I would say he was open to growth. Not even Jesus had it all figured out. How amazing is that?
The last “new” thing that came up for me in prayer was how this story reminds me of the story in John’s Gospel of the Wedding at Cana (JN2:1-12). Here, Jesus also allows another’s perspective to influence his choices. This time, it is Mary his mother that makes the suggestion, does the nudging/teaching. I find it curious that I have a much easier time accepting the movement in this story.
As we continue to reflect on this wonderful story today I invite us to sit with a few questions. Where in our lives is God inviting us to be open to a new/different perspective? Where are we being invited to grow in our faith? Where might we be able to better enter into conversation with others from different walks of life?3
Don Schwager quotes “Great was the power of her faith, and for our learning,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"See her humility as well as her faith! For he had called the Jews 'children,' but she was not satisfied with this. She even called them 'masters,' so far was she from grieving at the praises of others. She said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.' Behold the woman's wisdom! She did not venture so much as to say a word against anyone else. She was not stung to see others praised, nor was she indignant to be reproached. Behold her constancy. When he answered, 'It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs,' she said, 'Yes, Lord.' He called them 'children'” but she called them 'masters.' He used the name of a dog, but she described the action of the dog. Do you see this woman's humility? Then compare her humility with the proud language of the Jews: 'We are Abraham's seed and were never in bondage to any man'(John 8:33). 'We are born of God' (John 8:41). But not so this woman. Rather, she calls herself a dog and them masters. So for this reason she became a child. For what does Christ then say? 'O woman, great is your faith.' "So we might surmise that this is the reason he put her off, in order that he might proclaim aloud this saying and that he might crown the woman: 'Be it done for you as you desire.' This means 'Your faith, indeed, is able to effect even greater things than these. Nevertheless be it unto you even as you wish.' This voice was at one with the voice that said, 'Let the heaven be,' and it was (Genesis 1:1). 'And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.' Do you see how this woman, too, contributed not a little to the healing of her daughter? For note that Christ did not say, 'Let your little daughter be made whole,' but 'Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.' These words were not uttered at random, nor were they flattering words, but great was the power of her faith, and for our learning.He left the certain test and demonstration, however, to the issue of events. Her daughter accordingly was immediately healed." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW, Homily 52.3)4
The Word Among Us Meditation on Genesis 2:18-25 notes this passage is clearly about God’s plan for marriage, but there’s another truth here that applies to everyone—married, single, divorced, widowed, priests, and religious. God never designed any of us to be alone. He created us in such a way that we thrive on the love and support of other people. We need those special people in our lives who will care for us, listen to us, and help us to grow in faith.
It’s very easy to become so busy and preoccupied that we lose sight of the people who might need some of our time and attention. We all know someone who suffers from loneliness; it could be a member of our extended family or even someone in our own home. A simple visit, phone call, or invitation to dinner can make a huge difference in that person’s life. It can tell them that they are valued. It can help lift them out of any sadness or fear they might be feeling. It can encourage them to reach out and form new relationships.5
Friar Jude Winkler understands a sense of dominion in the naming of creatures by Adam in the Yahwist creation account. This is an etiology or a story to explain a mystery that goes beyond understanding. Friar Jude finds in the Syrophoenician woman a witty response and cleverness, esteemed in the Jewish culture, as the demon is exorcised for a woman of great faith.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that Christians had a very good model and messenger in Jesus, but many non-Christians actually came to the “banquet” more easily, as Jesus often says in his parables of the resented and resisted banquet (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:7-24), where “the wedding hall was filled with guests, both good and bad alike” (Matthew 22:10). What are we to do with such divine irresponsibility and largesse?
Why would a God worthy of the name God not care about all of the children? (Read Wisdom 11:23–12:2 for a humdinger of a Scripture in this regard.) Does God really have favorites among God’s children? What an unhappy family that would create—and indeed, it has created. The inclusion of the Hebrew Scriptures in the Christian canon ought to have served as a structural and definitive statement about Christianity’s movement toward radical inclusivity. How did we miss that?
Remember what God said to Moses: “I AM Who I AM” (Exodus 3:14). God is clearly not tied to a name, nor does God seem to want us to tie the Divinity to any one name. This is why, in Judaism, God’s statement to Moses became the unspeakable and unnamable God. We must practice profound humility in regard to God, who gives us not a name, but pure presence—no handle that could allow us to think we “know” who God is or have him or her as our private possession.6
Our wholeness is achieved in our relationship with others who often are outside our group. The Spirit offers opportunities for us to experience life in the other.
References
1
|
(n.d.). Genesis chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Genesis/2:18
|
2
|
(n.d.). Mark chapter 7 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/mark/7:24
|
3
|
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved February 14, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
|
4
|
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
|
5
|
(2019, February 14). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/02/14/
|
6
|
(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/02/
|
No comments:
Post a Comment