Who let the dogs out?
Gate Pa – 9th September 2012
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings:
Hebrew Scripture: Prov 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Psalm: Psalm:
Ps 125
Epistle: James 2:1-17
Gospel: Mark
7:24-37
What I want to say:
- this story is shocking
- calls into question all our images Christ – nice
- it highlights how much we too are shaped by the social, political and religious world we live in
- it asks of us – who are treated as dogs in our society?
- How might I embrace them as God’s beloved?
What I want to happen:
people
to become more aware of own prejudices blocks seeing God in others
The Sermon
1. Introduction: -
when
I talk about Jesus - I wonder what image
or thoughts come to mind?
- small groups
- share
- popular images include
ð gentle, kind, deep
penetrating stare
ð strong silent type
got
to say that today’s story with Syrophoenician woman blows all that out water
Ø can (commentators do) see
how Mark sets this up as verbal joust
ð meet needs within his
community
ð that is how Mark tells the
story
Ø very hard to explain the
actual story
o
the event
o
confronted with Jesus likening to a dog a mother who come to him, desperate
for her daughter
Ø confronted with very human Jesus
who has been shaped and moulded to some degree social, political and religious
world lived in
o
reminds us that we are shaped by social, political and religious world
we live in
o
what just as appalling is that many those heard and read this gospel
would think nothing of what Jesus says
ð
world Jesus,
ð
world Mark
ð
world we live in
deeply divided
§
great animosity
even hate between various groups
§
where those of
other group not seen human
§
seen as of no
concern to god – whoever god might be
§
even those within
your group can be seen in this light
§
story of
Iranian/Afghan couple in Australia and husband who murdered her
ð
she brought
dishonour to his family leaving him
ð
perfectly
reasonable to kill her
ð
“she was like
dog”
ð
lengthy jail term
completely unreasonable – provoked
this is world this story both
set, and written by Mark in.
ð world where people are like dogs.
ð God is prejudiced
2. Marks Gospel and Gentiles
·
what is both confusing and shocking is that elsewhere in gospels Jesus
confronts these kinds of views
·
in fact in Marks gospel we are in middle section which is all about confronting
these divisions and attitudes
if
used lectionary readings last week – heard Jesus being confronted by Pharisees
and scribes because disciples not observing traditions of elders re washing
hands
ð eating with unclean hands
ð made them unclean
ü traditions not mosaic law,
ü but traditions build up
ensured mosaic law observed
ð washing required significant
time, water and money – vast majority people
ð poor peasants – which
included Jesus and disciples
unable to observe them
ü what disciples doing pretty
standard behaviours disciples,
ü and those Jesus spent most
time with
Ø as result - they were seen
by Pharisees, scribes and Judean elite (usually translated Jews) as unclean and
no better than dogs themselves
Ø to them Jesus says
“Listen to me, all of you, and
understand: 15there is nothing outside a person
that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
ð radical stuff
§ no food is unclean
-
know from Acts and Galatians this on-going source debate
§ could eat with unclean hands
§ more radical – possibility
that you could eat with unclean people
§ ? did this include non-Jews
– those beyond Jesus group
§ more radical that maybe
gentile heart is as acceptable to God as Hebrew heart
Ø immediately make has Jesus
travel into Gentile area, and two stories we heard today have him engaging with
Gentiles
if
we were to read on (which not, skip the next verses) concludes with feeding
4000, seen by number commentators as being with Gentiles, and acts as
counterpoint to feeding 5,000 which with Jews
God’s
actions through Jesus are for both Jew and Gentile, for all people, for all
come under God’s concern and love => incredibly radical notion
3. This story
Ø
so given all
that, this story is even more shocking
like
to offer now is really good way explaining this story
can’t
it
is what it is
simply
leaves nice images of Jesus shattered
left
very human Jesus
Ø
what is striking
about this story is courage and tenacity of the unnamed woman
§ risks shaming family (and all consequences of that)
apparently being alone in public talking with this man
§ Jewish
– animosity shown Jesus response mutual
§ pleads
for her daughter
§ when
he responds to her way that would have been expected according social norms
§ stands
up to this rabbi
ð
amazing woman who risks much for the
sake of her daughter
Ø
Jesus responds by recognising her
humanity
ð This
new way of being,
ð this
new way of seeing people and treating them as beloved of God
ð this includes even gentile women.
4. Good news and challenge
There is both good news and challenge of this
story
Ø good
news that all are included
Ø challenge
– questions
Ø take
on Jesus reaction to this woman and apply it to ourselves we are left with some
questions
ð who
are Syrophoenician women of our society?
ð who
are seen and treated as dogs
o
name a few: beneficiaries, gang members and their families,
convicted criminals, refugees and immigrants, especially those of a different
colour
more importantly – who are Syrophoenician women
for us as a church and as individuals
o
who are the equivalents for us?
ð what
would it mean for me to recognise their humanity, as Christ recognised humanity
Syrophoenician woman.
ð what
mean for me treat them as beloved of God,
o
means by which I might love God,
o
means by which God loves me?
ð how
might I embrace them as God’s beloved
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