The Gospel of Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 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.
Let us Pray: Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers, as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions. on behalf of the church and the world. This we pray in your Name. Amen.
The Gospel this week is in two parts, and as we read it one wonders how they are connected. But as we read it the connection becomes apparent; It also is so relevant to what is occurring in today’s society. He tries to explain to the crowd that it isn’t what you put into your mouth that makes a person unclean, but what comes out as spoken words actions and feelings that makes one unclean, Those words once spoken can never be taken back, they can be cruel and can hurt, But what we put into our mouths is eaten and is gone. What we say and do are the things that make us clean or unclean in the eyes of God. One’s words and actions reflect the attitude of one’s heart. Basically, Jesus is saying, don’t worry so much about the purity laws, worry about loving your neighbor. So how does the second part tie into this first part? Jesus had to rethink what his position was with the Canaanite woman. Jesus has entered into Tyre and Sidon where the Canaanite woman instantly greets him. It is remarkable that enough word about Jesus had spread to this region that this woman would somehow know who Jesus is. Nowhere does it say that he performed any signs in Tyre and Sidon before meeting, yet she somehow recognizes him, not just as a roaming healer but as a rightful king. The woman greets Jesus as the “Son of David.” Her recognition is all the more remarkable because the disciples have been a bit slow in recognizing Jesus. In Matthew 14, after the walking on the sea, they do recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Initially, Jesus fails to acknowledge the Canaanite woman and her request for mercy. Anyone with a pressing need knows how horrible it feels to have a dire or significant request for help or information met with dead silence. Women’s words are too often met with silence or are interrupted or disrespected, by men and sometimes by other women. There are times in our lives when we asked for information or help and received nothing but silence, Would have preferred a curt no to silence. Now Jesus has just told a crowd about words that come from your mouth is what makes you unclean in God’s eyes, and he finds Himself using harsh words against the Canaanite woman. He had to stop and realize what he was doing as he listened to the words from the women who kept shouting after him about her daughter, she kneels at his feet, and appeals to his compassion. “Lord, I am asking you for help!” He rationalized his position as not enough of me to go around. He had just finished explaining to his disciples, that the very laws that kept them, the Jewish people, pure and clean and set apart from everyone else, were no longer needed. That it’s our attitudes and actions that make us unclean. And then what does he go and do? He ignores this desperate woman’s request because she is not part of the in crowd! And he doesn’t even realize it. Not until she pushes back and makes him understand his own hypocrisy. And then his eyes were opened. And then he gets it. And his whole outlook on all of humankind changed. Here’s the thing. When it comes to Gods love for human beings. Every single human is in that in group. Period. We may never get it right, when it comes to how we treat others, how we love our neighbor. We will mess up, again and again. But we can learn. And we can keep trying to make it right. Let us keep trying,
Do the words of this Gospel ring true today. We look at the civil unrest and how we treat each other. It is unfortunate we can’t stop and look at our words and actions and realize that we need to desperately change. We need to learn to really hear one another, to also hear our own words and observe our own actions. Even Jesus had to rethink his words and actions. And he changed his mind and his attitude. Here’s the thing, when it comes to Gods love for human beings, every single human is one of God’s children. We may never get it right, when it comes to how we treat others, how we love our neighbor. We will mess up, again and again. But we can learn. And we can keep trying to make it right. Let us keep trying, with God’s help.
I am going to close with the lyrics from John Lennon’s song, “Imagine’
You may say that I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will live as one In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Reflections by Bob 