The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

When we think of our Lord Jesus we do not often think of a man that would turn someone away. Some believe that God never changes his mind. However, if you believe that Christ is Emmanuel (God with us), the incarnation of the Father, you may need to examine this text closely. Let us place in perspective that Canaanites were Gentiles. These were often pagan religious followers. A Canaanite is not someone you would help if you were Jewish as they were completely against you. Jesus and his disciples were gathered and a Canaanite woman began to shout "Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." The disciples asked Jesus to send the woman away as she kept shouting and was causing a scene. Jesus replies "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The woman says "Lord, help me." Jesus responded, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." Would our Lord really make such a bold statement? Through reading the Scripture in proper context it seems to imply that Jesus was not willing to help this woman. In the words of the famous song from "Guns & Roses" she was "knock, knock, knock-in on heavens door (as Father Swann put it)." The Canaanite woman was so adamant she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her and said, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. So, do you believe Jesus changed his mind? Or, was Jesus simply wanting to test the faith of a Gentile? If you seek healing physically or mentally maybe you can touch our Lord in prayer. Remember "Prayer is the oxygen of the soul." -Saint Augustine

Please remember especially in prayer Terese Gluck and Vicky Fagiana. Vicky is in Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Room 704.

Collect:

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Isaiah 56: 1,6-8, Psalm 67, 2nd Reading Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15: [10-20], 21-28)