I love Mary Oliver’s poetry for many reasons, not the least of which is that she loved dogs. In the collection, Dog Songs, the poet lyrically unpacks that love. In one of her poems, she muses, “A dog can never tell you what she knows from the smells of the world, but you know, watching her, that you know almost nothing.” In other words, dogs know plenty. In another poem, when the household dog has conned an unsuspecting human into offering a second breakfast, she humorously writes, “Be prepared. A dog is adorable and noble. A dog is a true and loving friend. A dog is also a hedonist.”
Dogs and people have long sought creative ways to get that for which they long. That said, those of us who love dogs, and people, have a major hitch with something Jesus once said. A woman who was not Jewish came to Jesus, the Jewish rabbi, and asked for help healing her daughter from an oppressive spirit. But Jesus hesitated, speaking on the assumption that his mission was to the people of Israel. He said, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and give it to the dogs.” But not to be so easily put away, the mother replied, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” These abrupt words of Jesus are met with the fierce determination of a prophetic mother who would not be deterred from seeking her child’s blessing. He received these words, and changed his way of responding to the woman. Sometimes a solitary and determined voice is what is needed to shift worlds of understanding.
This passage raises many questions for us and invites us to consider what we shall do with the earnest and compelling voices that reach out to us. The sermon on Sunday is titled, “Breaking the Ropes That Hold Us.” It arises from James 2: 1-10, which will be read by Jerry Burton, and Mark 7: 24-37, which will be read by Laura Baich. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong will lead us musically. We’ll pray, sing and have a time for children.
If this is your first time at St. Marks, or whether you have long been a part of our church community, we look forward to connecting with you this Sunday. Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary, or if you are connecting online, visit www.smumc.church, and click the live stream banner.