Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matt. 15:22-28)
I have always been drawn to this story. It all seems just about right. The woman is seeking a blessing but the timing and circumstances are working against her: It's the wrong place. The timing is inconvenient. And she's not the right brand... Nevertheless, she is determined. Her daughter needs help and she is convinced that Jesus can do something for her.
According to Matthew, and apparently Jesus, it is precisely this determination that makes the difference. She wants a blessing and she is not going to let the familiar blocks get in the way.
The two pieces here are important I think. First, it is good for us to admit that we are all looking for a blessing. Call it would you will...a break, a surprise, a second chance... There are times when we are really looking for some relief. And we hope that God is the kind of God who is willing to help out.
Right? Because in the scheme of things, our unique challenges probably don't seem like all that much. So we would probably understand if God is simply too busy with things like World Peace and making sure the planets stay in orbit. Yet, at the same time, we are still hoping that our personal problems can somehow find a place on God's radar screen.
This brings us to the second piece. The story of above suggests that sometimes we have to make a little noise. We might have to be a little annoying and ignore the barbs and blocks that might otherwise send us fleeing back to our hovels. The picture, a portrayal of Jacob wrestling with the angel at Peniel, suggests that we might even have to fight for those blessings. Which is really not so bad... If something really matters, we should probably be willing to make something of a scene anyway.
Besides, if we are talking about a real blessing, then it's gotta be worth it. Doesn't it?
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.........Conversing with the Church and the world about the good creation that we share and God's capacity to keep it that way...
Why The Portico
We have a stained glass window at the church. It is a picture of St. Francis. He is dressed in monastic attire but there are few other signs of his role as a representative of the Church--no ornate architecture, no screaming symbolism, not even words. I like the metaphor and I am drawn to the peaceful but authentic presence that Francis might have been. So in that tradition, I imagine a patio or a portico extending out from our community into the larger world. I imagine myself sitting there and having a conversation with whoever or whatever might happen by.
About Me
- Mark Evans
- The material here is offered to the larger world around us. It includes commentary about theology, society, culture, politics and the arts. Though I do not claim to be an expert in any of these areas, I do feel welcome and compelled to participate in the conversations that they inspire.
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