14th Sunday After Pentecost

by The Rev. Jason Tardiff

The Gospel reading has Jesus walking toward Tyre and Sidon when a woman comes out and calls after him. In my surprise, the reading says Jesus kept watching, not stopping to help. Made me wonder why? They walked on and she called after them again and one of the apostles urged Jesus to ignore her.

The woman came and bowed at Jesus' feet. Jesus then looked at her and said "It is not fair to take the childrens food and throw it to the dogs.." What did he mean by that? I think he means why now does she need the blessing and healing of God. Just to receive and turn her back on it.

The women looks at him and says that "even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from teir master's table". She listens and believes. Even the little bit she has been able to learn and hear of God has helped her and nourished her. God grace isn’t just for show, and isn’t just given away to be trampled on but when taken in used even a little bit much can be learned.

The Rev. Jason Tardiff is a secular priest of the AOCC living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.