Stranger: Read Matt 15:15-31
Contemplation
We have left home and are in a foreign country. The people speak a different language. The houses look different and the smells of food, clothes, spices have changed. We are walking in a very old city which has been an important market for hundreds of years. It is on the sea and has a famous harbour. Gulls cry and people are preparing and selling fish in the markets.
A woman comes rushing up. She is worried to tears. Though she speaks with an accent, we can understand her. Her language is a bit like ours. She shouts and calls Jesus a king and asks her to heal her little daughter who is very sick at home. Jesus seems to ignore her. The disciples think she is a nuisance and wants her to go away. She keeps crying to Jesus. Finally, Jesus says, “I was only sent to my people. I can’t feed the family food to dogs”. She says, “Puppies aren’t fussy. God’s so generous, we are happy to get the leftovers.” Jesus is impressed – she has turned his rudeness back and made an important point. He tells her to go home and find her daughter well. And so she does. And now, seeing that God’s love is for everyone, everyone is coming to him asking for help – just as it was in our own country.
Talk to Jesus and the people around him. Walk home with the mother and see what happens.
Do I feel uncomfortable around people who don’t sound or look like me?
Can I see the good in people who work, think, talk differently?
Do I try and limit God’s generosity?