A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 11 – A

August 20, 2017

Matthew 15:10-28 - NRSV

Things That Defile

10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.[a] And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Footnotes:

Matthew 15:14 Other ancient authorities lack of the blind

A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 11 – A

The Dogs of God

Who are the dogs of God

seeking crumbs from above?

Compassionate Canaanite

yearning for healing

for her daughter;

desperate, crying, kneeling?

The least of these

with no voice

making a choice;

meds or bread?

The undocumented immigrant

wondering what’s next

with no rest;

ICE all around?

Those with disabilities

mocked by a President

losing their residence

and Medicaid?

A nameless refugee

longing to be free

not welcome in our country

yet yearning for a morsel?

The Sudanese in famine

perpetually unnoticed?

Deaf are we to the voice

crying from the desert.

Who are the dogs of God

seeking crumbs from above

while we feast on the whole loaf?

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