Word to the Wise
Thursday, February 10, 2022 - Thursday in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 11:4-13 and Mark 7:24-30][Jesus} "Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the good of the children and throw it to the dogs." [Pagan lady]: "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps." [Mark]
FEBRUARY 10 ST. SCHOLASTICA [Twin sister of St. Benedict]
The incident in today's gospel scripture from the Gospel According to Mark is also recounted, with greater detail, in the Gospel According to Matthew [15:21-28]. Both accounts are set in the district of Tyre, an area with a considerable population of non-Jewish people. The placement of this incident by the two evangelists in their gospels is important because it comes right after the angry encounter of Jesus with the scribes and Pharisees, the most dedicated of all Jews. For whom did Jesus come? Was his mission only to Jews? If so, must non-Jews who want to be disciples become Jews and observe the Mosaic Law? The Gospel According to Mark was composed before the Gospel According to Matthew. The latter shows considerable concern for the status of the Mosaic Law in the Christian community, so the greater detail in Matthew may reflect the growing concern which would come to a head at the Council of Jerusalem [Acts 15].
That's the BIG picture. The story itself is also a lesson in responding to the faith of others who come to us with an interest in Catholicism. Jesus used the common term that Jews had for non-Jews: "DOGS!" in referring to the pagan lady! But she turns the image back into one of faith, to which Jesus responds positively! I have been impressed with the responses our student parishioners give at our ASK A CATHOIC table on campus. They personify what the First Letter of Peter says: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence." [1 Peter 3:15-16]. When we recognize and respect the spark of faith in others, wonderful things can happen! Just ask the Syrophoenician lady in today's gospel! AMEN