Who get's the calling?

Mark 7:24-37

         I confess to have a bit of difficulty with this passage. The thing is though, I think many people to this very day have issues with what this passage says to us. On the one hand I see that Jesus is saying that he came to redeem only the chosen people, the people of Israel. On the other hand I know that Jesus reached out to everyone, especially the outcasts. Here it is a Gentile, and a women, whom he has willingly engaged in a conversation with. Again though, he refers to her basically as 'the dogs', he then defers to her and heals her little daughter.

       This dynamic question of who is saved, whom Jesus came to save and who Jesus reached out to is still a question alive today. Generally speaking I know Jesus reached out to all of us because that is what his actions showed. Jesus could not been more of a rebel. Jesus could not be more loving. But when I read this passage I find it troubling.

        The dynamic of who the message is for was one that the first 'council' of Jerusalem fought over vigorously. It is still something that people argue over today. Am I as a gay man saved? Is the message of Gods love for me? For any sinner, is Jesus' message for them? Should women be ordained? as Deacons? Priests? How far does Jesus' message of love and inclusion extend?

       I would err on the side of love. Jesus' message always was love, inclusion, forgiveness and healing.  The resurrection is all about new life, second chances and rebirth. How far does God's love extend? Is God himself unlimited and his love limited?

       God's love is inclusive and beyond our comprehension. God's love extends to the depths of knowledge we understand and also to the depths we cannot yet comprehend. The Spirit of God cals us to grow and love and reach high for His love.

        We are all included, all called to grow in love. We are called to rise to the sun which gives us life, rise to the Son who gives us life.

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’