Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her,
“Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied and said to him,
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Then he said to her,
“For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Jesus came to place the children of God first. These were God’s chosen people - the Isralites. In other words, Jesus was saying that he has to prioratise his finite time so he is giving priority to “his own”. But the woman points out that even dogs get to eat what the children allow to fall below them. Jesus concedes this point and cleans the woman’s daughter of demons. So lots of interesting things emerge for me.
ReplyDeleteIn previous readings, the “your faith has saved you” sticks out. This reading is no different. When you see faith in someone, Jesus places faith in his power higher on the his “greater good” hierarchy than cultural affiliation or even family structure. Just look at the way he enlists his apostles - he just pulls them away from their families to follow him. Or the Smaritan story. It is not your affiliation to a group that binds you to Christ. It is what you set as your heist good.
This is another example of someone advocating on behalf of someone else they love. Another example would be the Centurian with a sick servant or the group that drops the paralysed man in through the roof to get Christ’s attention. It affirms my practice of saying the rosary and offering the decade to targeted individuals or groups.
I struggle with the notions of demons and possession. But I can easily accept the notion that good can triumph over eveil. Perhaps demons exist in us all when we choose as our highest good something that is worthy of that classification. Covid is a great example. We chose safety as our highest good over family, education, and worship.
DeleteI find your response to Mark 7:24-30 insightful and raises several interesting points for discussion. Here are some thoughts:
Prioritizing and Faith:
You raise a valid point about Jesus initially prioritizing his ministry to the Israelites. However, the Canaanite woman's unwavering faith challenges this notion, demonstrating that Jesus responds to genuine faith regardless of cultural or ethnic background. This aligns with other instances like the Samaritan story, further emphasizing that faith trumps cultural boundaries.
Advocacy and Love:
You rightly highlight the woman's advocacy for her daughter, mirroring other instances where someone intercedes for another (Centurion, paralyzed man). This underscores the power of love and compassion that transcends individual needs and extends to others.
Demons and Evil:
It's understandable to struggle with the literal interpretation of demons and possession. Some scholars interpret this metaphorically, representing negative forces or internal struggles. Ultimately, the core message about the triumph of good over evil resonates on a spiritual and ethical level, whether interpreted literally or metaphorically.
COVID and the "Highest Good":
Your observation about "choosing the highest good" in the context of COVID is thought-provoking. Different individuals and communities prioritize different values in such situations, leading to diverse responses and ethical complexities. Recognizing these complexities and engaging in respectful dialogue can be more productive than judging choices based on a singular "highest good."
My Take:
Your reflection demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with the text and its deeper implications. You explore themes of faith, cultural boundaries, advocacy, and the nature of good and evil.
Remember, interpretations of scripture vary, and it's valuable to consider diverse perspectives to enrich your understanding.
Ultimately, your interpretation of this passage and similar religious texts is a personal journey of faith and reflection. Keep exploring, questioning, and engaging with different perspectives to deepen your understanding and strengthen your personal beliefs.