SEPTEMBER: OUR LADY OF SORROWS

SEPTEMBER - THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY

JESUS, CHILDREN AND DOG FOOD

https://www.facebook.com/evelyn.c.maduabum

WHAT DOES JESUS KNOW ABOUT DOG FOOD? 

Faith. Importunity in Prayer, Perseverance, Humility, Courage…

[Matthew 15:21-28]

21 Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22 And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, 'Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.' 23 But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and pleaded with him, saying, 'Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting after us.' 24 He said in reply, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.' 25 But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. 'Lord,' she said, 'help me.' 26 He replied, 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to little dogs.' 27 She retorted, 'Ah yes, Lord; but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table.' 28 Then Jesus answered her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted.' And from that moment her daughter was well again.

Characters:

·          Jesus. 

·         The Canaanite Woman. 

·         Her Daughter. The Disciples. 

·         The Children. 

·         The Dogs

·         You…

·         Me...

JESUS had left the Jewish territory, his comfort zone and had gone to the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon. I would imagine he expected to meet non-Jews but not quite in this manner. This WOMAN calls him by his Messianic Title – Lord Son of David. She knows who he is, better than the people he came for. She believes in his power to heal and deliver her DAUGHTER. She made the diagnosis herself – demonic possession – and recognises Jesus authority over evil spirits. Wow. I do not blame Jesus for being shocked! Her Faith is demonstrated by her humble, earnest plea: “take pity upon me”.

Jesus ignored her. Even I am shocked by his not being very nice this time. The DISCIPLES wade in, not because they have compassion on her, but because she is shouting and annoying them. Jesus once again, refused. He is not going to waste his salvation on a pagan. His Mission was specific, and for a specific people. But the woman persisted, this time bowing low before him, calling him Lord again, and asking his help yet still.

This time, Jesus uses a really derogatory analogy to explain to the woman that she was seeking what she is not qualified to receive. As a DOG is to his owners’ CHILDREN, so is she to the heirs of salvation. Children eat food, dogs eat dog food, and whatever that is, it certainly is not as nice as McDonald’s Happy Meal.

­­­She is not deterred by all that, and she is not taking no for an answer. She loves her daughter and since no earthly doctor can heal her infirmity, Jesus is her last Bus Stop. Lord, I know I do not qualify; if you like call me a dog or a chicken or a cat. At least you did not call me a pig or a goat. I am still a household pet and so I can eat the children’s scrap. So give me the food please, you can drop it on the floor and I could not care less as long as it comes from you.

QUESTIONS

1.   Did Jesus learn from this Woman an important lesson that has brought salvation to YOU and ME?

2.   Do I exclude people on grounds of difference?

3.   Is my compassion unconditional?

4.   This woman prayed this much for her daughter. Do I even pray for myself? For my relatives, friends, neighbours, the sick, the poor, everyone?

5.   How strong is my faith?

6.   Do I see Jesus as a close friend who can help me always and in every situation?

7.   Do I push people away?

8.   Do I abuse life’s privileges/power or do I use my position to bring the love of God to all the people I encounter?

9.   What are those demons in me that I must pester Jesus until he casts them out?

10.                Do I invite Jesus to heal me everyday?

MY HEALER

creatures loyally and dutifully praise God.

HYMN: The Spacious Firmament on High

cf: http://cyberhymnal.org/bio/a/d/addison_j.htm

PRAYER:

My Creator God

May  my life give you praise. 

AMEN.

The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame
Their great Original proclaim.
Th’unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator’s powers display,
And publishes to every land

The work of an Almighty Hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth;
While all the stars that round her burn
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

 

What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid the radiant orbs be found?
In reason’s ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
“The hand that made us is divine.”

Based on Psalm 19

¹The heavens are telling the glory of God; 

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

²Day to day pours forth speech, 

and night to night declares knowledge.

³There is no speech, nor are there words; 

their voice is not heard;

⁴yet their voice goes out through all the earth, 

and their words to the end of the world. 

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

⁵which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, 

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

⁶Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 

and its circuit to the end of them; 

and nothing is hid from its heat.

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, 

reviving the soul; 

the decrees of the Lord are sure,

making wise the simple;

⁸the precepts of the Lord are right, 

rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the Lord is clear, 

enlightening the eyes;

⁹the fear of the Lord is pure, 

enduring forever; 

the ordinances of the Lord are true 

and righteous altogether.

¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, 

even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey, 

and drippings of the honeycomb.

¹¹Moreover by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

¹²But who can detect their errors? 

Clear me from hidden faults.

¹³Keep back your servant also from the insolent; 

do not let them have dominion over me. 

Then I shall be blameless, 

and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

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