Greetings on this the Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Gn 2:18-25; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Mk 7:24-30
Notes: In today’s readings we arrive at the essential of a life’s journey.
We are not meant to be alone.
We are meant to be with God and with one another.
We are meant to be at peace and to have a tranquil life.
Without shame.
Jesus has come to remove shame and heal the broken hearted.
He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it [because he knew she would come to see him, alone].
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.
- The literal meaning ‘first’ is the prior claim to the Messiah by the Jewish people, which is valid and true.
- The spiritual meaning ‘first’ is the prior to the prior claim, you child, shall be fed.
That is to say the primordial promise of creation.
The woman knew this.
Jesus was delighted by it (see the Matthew version of the story).
See: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mt/15?21#48015021
She knew there is no shame in coming to Jesus.
She knew the promise is of antiquity before even the Patriarchs.
She knew the healing promise of Jesus is for her too and her children. All of them.
First reading
The LORD God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone.
Responsorial Psalm
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Alleluia Verse
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Gospel Portion
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Without shame – come.
Without shame – healing.
Without shame – the promise of creation.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 