Now the
woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her
daughter.
As I sit down to write this Lenten devotional, it is the Christmas
season and we have just celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have gathered
for worship and adoration as a body of believers drawn in awe to the humble beginnings of
our Savior. We worship as one; yet we are a diverse group. We do not look just alike or
think just alike. Even within our own nuclear families there is diversity of appearance,
opinion, and sometimes culture.
There was also great diversity during Jesus’ time on earth. Was it
more pronounced then than it is now? I wonder. It would seem Jesus was far more tolerant
and respectful of differences than were any of his followers, then or now. He accepted the
presence of the Gentile woman in today’s reading and, because of her attitude and her
faith, her daughter was healed as she had asked of him. He did not reject her because of
her difference. Instead, he gave her what she asked. Her difference made no difference to
him.
If we were to behave as Jesus did, not dwelling upon those things that
separate us from our neighbors but rather upon those things that bind us together, our
communities would be just the sort of place we all desire. Respect, understanding,
tolerance – these are ours to give.
Dear and Gracious God, we ask that you be with us and lead us to
better understanding of how to get along with all our neighbors. Help us to celebrate our
diversity as a people and to show respect and love to all we encounter. Amen.
Lotus Gerards
