Job and the Gentile Woman

But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Mark 7. 24-37

In today's reading from the book of Job, Job's well meaning friend has suggested that he just confess to his errors and God will heal him. And Job says No, I am an upright person and I can reason with God and I should be acquitted by God. "I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments," he says.

Job's words certainly bring to mind the Gentile Syrophoenician woman in Mark's gospel which we will read tomorrow! "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs" she says detecting inconsistency in Jesus' reasoning, shifting the conversation and doing just what Job said he wanted to do.

Both Job and the Gentile woman teach us that "perseverance and protest can bring about a new paradigm...reminding us to name the differences and call out the hierarchies because only by naming them can we move toward healing and restoration." The woman knows there is enough good news for everyone, and she demands it in the form of healing and restoration for her beloved child.

Job too knows that "Faith is standing in front of the Almighty and asking questions, struggling with what is unjust," as Dean Kate said this morning.

Where are you called to stand up to God in the face of injustice and the violation of human rights? God waits for you to speak...and like Job at the end of his book, you will hear him!

Crumby Dog, painting by Ally Barrett