Thursday – 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Mark 7:24-30

Getting Away!

Family Gathering

Once the Covid restrictions started to ease up back in early 2022, we had the chance to gather together for dinner at a local restaurant.  We were finally at the point where we felt reasonably safe for the entire family to share a meal together – Ginger, myself, her parents, Jaime and Josh, Tyler and Nate.  What’s the big deal?  Well, because of Covid restrictions and concerns, it was the first time the entire family could all safely be together in over 2 years.  It was a wonderful couple of hours sharing smiles and hugs, conversation and, of course, good Italian food! 

At that point in our pandemic journey, I think it’s fair to say we all wanted to get away, at least mentally if not physically! It didn’t really matter where at this point, just get away anywhere.  Somewhere we could be together, catch our breath, restore our soul, appreciate the beauty all around us, and step aside from the worries of the world.

And that’s what Jesus is trying to do in today’s Gospel – get away!  And He goes to a curious place – Tyre!  Tyre is a Gentile city, a pagan city, and a bitter enemy of the Jews. Pretty smart move on Jesus’ part!  It stands to reason that any of His Jewish followers would be very reluctant to search for Him there. 

But it doesn’t work out that way.  A woman comes to Him, drops to her knees and begs Him to cure her daughter!  She is a resident of Tyre, a Gentile and a Greek.  And yet she has heard of Jesus and believes He can help.  And she is willing to fight for her daughter, to debate with Jesus for a cure. 

In just a few short verses, consider her qualities.  She is humble, willing to bow before a Jew.  She gives as much as she gets from Jesus and isn’t willing to take ‘no’ for an answer.  That speaks of a woman of courage and persistence!  And she is a woman of faith, not just believing Jesus can cure her daughter but accepting Him at His word that her daughter has been freed of her demons.

Wanna get away?  Don’t you think that woman had the same idea?  Don’t you think she wished, at times, that she could catch her breath.  And yet her faith, her love for her daughter, kept her right where she needed to be, right where she wanted to be! 

Do I wanna get away?  Of course!  Lasagna at Porretta’s! Revisiting Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons!  That little summer cottage in South Haven on the shores of Lake Michigan!  Back again to the Holy Land?  Even a simple gathering of parish friends?  You bet!  But you know what, I’m happy being right where I am – close to family and loved ones, close to my faith which challenges me every day to be courageous, to be humble, to be persistent, to be living out my faith in my daily life!

 

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