Mark 7:27: "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is addressing a non-Jew as a dog. This seems to be very harsh treatment by our Lord. However, the woman is persistent in asking that her daughter be rid of the demon. Jesus finally relents and heals the daughter.
Jesus is opening the way to us, the Gentiles, by doing what the woman requested. He is trying to rid his followers of the preconceptions that they have experienced during their lives. Just as Jesus was accepting of this foreigner, He wants us to do the same of all, who are different from us.
Are we accepting of all? Do we welcome strangers into our midst, especially into our church communities? How do we treat immigrants? Are we following the ‘new’ culture of the U. S. and discriminate those who do not speak English? Do we, the senior-citizens, accept the youth and their fads?
In the Old Testament, among rivalries, people would call each other dogs. Jesus changed this.
Let us pray that we may not treat others as dogs.
May our Lord, Jesus, help me to accept all, in particular those who may not belong to the Catholic Church. Guide me to see You in my fellow-man. Amen
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