Thought for the Parish Pewslip
Sunday 6th September 2009. Trinity 13, Proper 18, Year B
Readings: Isaiah 35: 4-7a James 2: 1-10 & 14-17 Mark 7: 24-37
Our reading from Isaiah foretells of the coming of Jesus, and of the healing miracles that can be expected. Healing is not just for the speechless and the deaf. There will be healing, even for the environment because “waters shall break forth in the wilderness”! Not all the things prophesied about Jesus seem to have occurred yet, but as Christians we are still awaiting the second coming of Christ.
Our reading from James reminds us that we are called to love our neighbours as we love ourselves, and that this includes all of our neighbours without partiality. If we favour the rich over the poor, or the attractive over the unattractive, or the people like us over the rest, then our love falls short of the love of God. Further our love must include practical actions of care for the people around us.
In our gospel reading we hear about two of Jesus’ healing miracles. The first is especially remarkable because Jesus initially appears reluctant to help the Gentile woman. “Let the children be fed first,” he said, meaning that his ministry was to the descendents of Jacob, not to the gentiles. He even suggests that the Gentiles are dogs! However, when Jesus hears the woman’s faith he realises that he must help her. It is becoming clear that Jesus has come to save all people, not only the Jews.
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