Opening Prayer:
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Matthew 15: 21-28 The outcast finds welcome at the table of the Lord. What does this story tell us about God’s perspective on our human prejudices and judgmentalism?
The teachings and actions of Jesus are sometimes hard to understand…and this week is one of those times! It is hard for us to see the Canaanite woman referred to as a “dog”. This was a term sometimes used by Jews to refer to Gentiles (those citizens who did not believe in the God of Israel). Was Jesus prejudiced against the Gentiles, as seems to be the case here? We cannot know, but we DO know that Jesus noticed the woman’s faith in his ability to heal her daughter, and he responded with love.
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 God’s Word reminds us that God forgives us, again and again and again. Yet we too often are unfaithful, why do we do this…human nature?
In the last few readings from Romans, Paul’s has told his readers how God has done a great and wonderful work in Jesus Christ. Through him, all who believe will receive salvation. But some people, most notably the Israelites who are Paul’s own people, reject the Gospel offered to them. Paul’s hope is that the Gentiles to whom he writes this letter will open their hearts to Christ, and his prayer is that disobedient Israel will one day also embrace the Word.
Closing Prayer:
God of the foreigner and outcast,
your arms reach out to embrace
all those who call upon you.
Teach us as disciples of Christ
so to love the world
that your name may be known
throughout the earth. Amen