Greetings on this the Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kgs 11:4-13; PS 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40; Mk 7:24-30
Notes
When we move about the world the key consideration is what do we accept from others? Rituals, gifts, traditions of customs different from our own should always be welcomed with appreciation and awe. Each culture has developed their own ways and understanding and expressions. These are gifts and wholly acceptable.
Solomon for his part went beyond the integration of culture with the integration of religious practices and of foreign gods. In a significant way.
- Built a temple for Chemosh.
- Built a temple to Molech.
- His wives practiced worship and sacrifice to these gods.
These were marriages of politics, power and dominion. It is fair to assume there was no love motive for Solomon nor for these women. Although Solomon is said to ‘love’ them, I wonder actually what he really loved. It is difficult to look backwards and lacking contemporary context judge the motives and the situation. We can only look at the man who the Lord visited twice and ask why did he go away from the Lord. The LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kngs 11:9).
Quote: The take-home message from this disturbing history lesson is that we must cherish our children and our responsibility towards them. Young children are dependent upon adults, and it is the adults’ obligation to take that task seriously and never abuse the naivete and trust of young children. We are called upon to watch over and protect G‑d’s magnificent children. Reference to Molech worship: https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/4372130/jewish/The-Tragic-History-of-Molech-Child-Sacrifice.htm
Summary
What should we share? Where shall we go? What should we take?
Jesus traveled. In this reading and future readings, Jesus went to district of Tyre and soon moved onward to Sidon and, by way of the Sea of Galilee, to the Decapolis. All of these ‘foreign’ lands but with people willing to listen to him and accept the blessings of healing.
In our gospel portion today, Jesus bridge the gap in a way superior to Solomon. Jesus is not looking for wives and political peace between nations. He is looking for reconciliation to truth and love. For her part, she has no delusions of grandeur or alliance. She just wanted healing and had nothing to offer but hope. 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.
The woman and Jesus enter into a literary playful dialog that results in the healing of her daughter and a pathway forward in faith.
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.
Reflection
We must interact with the world as it is. We must accept humanity as it is and how the life is being lived. We must accept gifts and differences in culture.
We must not trade faith for earthly things. Solomon wanted to reserve power.
Jesus wants to share the divine power of salvation and healing.
Personal Reflection
Being a sinful man knowing boundaries and keeping boundaries is a constant task. But it is most necessary. If I am to have any part in presenting the divine love to others it must be on the basis of gift not trade. You need not trade anything with me to get blessings and gifts and relation and hope.
These I freely receive, these I freely give (mistakes acknowledged).
First Reading
When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, as the heart of his father David had been. Nor will I take away the whole kingdom. I will leave your son one tribe for the sake of my servant David and of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.
Responsorial
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Gospel Acclamation
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Gospel
Wordplay
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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry