08 Sep SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
When you dial the main number printed on a AAA card, one of the first questions asked is, “Do you wish to make a claim?” If so, press one. Secondly, a recorded voice will ask, “Do you need roadside assistance?” If so, press two or stay on the line. In the case of the Syrophenecian woman in today’s gospel story, she answered yes to both even though she was not a AAA member.
“Yes, I wish to make a claim,” and “Yes, I need immediate roadside assistance.”
In response, she hears a disclaimer. Jesus informs her unapologetically that she is not an active member of the recognized organization, i.e. of Hebrew origin.
In fact, his records showed that the Syrophenician woman wasn’t even a former member. She had never held membership status on any level: the classic basic, plus or premier. Without apology, Jesus informs her that she is not entitled to any services that the auto club, I mean, Jesus offers to those with preferred status.
Never mind all that. The Syrophenician woman called AAA anyway. She had heard that AAA membership and all of its benefits travel with the individual/passenger, not the automobile. She had heard that if one of your passengers is a member, a request for roadside assistance is considered valid.
After all, since birth, hadn’t she been raised in a culture of God’s choosing? Hadn’t her travels been restricted to the region of her birth? Wasn’t God himself accountable as the registered owner of all created beings? Hadn’t God been the one who’d given this woman charge of a demon-possessed daughter?
In desperation, it made sense for the Syrophonecian woman to seek out Jesus. During her entire life, she had submitted to fate. Now, she was seeking minimal consideration under conditions of duress. She and her daughter were innocent victims of a breakdown in society where no one else could help and nothing else could be done. There was no question about what must happen. This wasn’t a matter of roadside assistance.
The circumstance warranted being towed and fully repaired before setting out on the road again. What had been happening with her daughter was not the equivalent of a flat tire, able to be changed or swapped with a spare. No ordinary person could have lended this mother assistance or offered her and her daughter what was needed.
She had done all she could to manage on her own. She had propped up the hood of her car and hung a plastic shopping bag from the car’s exterior frame.
The time had come to light a road flare and set it at Jesus’ feet. She declared that she and her daughter had suffered a serious accident, survived numerous close calls, and were now stuck in hazardous traffic.
Nothing would deter her from life saving measures. She was willing to abandon her car on the freeway, but not lose her daughter for lack of Jesus responding to her in the same way he was expected to respond to those considered his own, those with membership in the club, those of preferred status recognized as loyal for years.
The words of Isaiah are hope not only to those exiled in Babylon, but to those exiled within society. If the words are true for only a chosen few, then God is not true to his word, for in his word God teaches that partiality is not looked upon as acceptable. It’s not to be encouraged.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance and terrible recompense to save you,” to undo and reverse those things that keep you from fully participating in what others see, hear, do or experience that fulfills their needs or brings them joy.
When the psalmist writes, “The LORD cares for the stranger, sustains the orphan and widow,” it must be true for every stranger, orphan or widow in need. James writes that acts of favoritism reveal disbelief in the glorious work of Christ and that human works done in faith must consider a person’s actual immediate need. God forbid that the Bible would preach something that Christ fails to do.
Have you not made distinctions among yourselves? I know for sure that we and our government have. We willingly invest time and time again in individuals and countries that appear more like ourselves, who are similar or strike us as valuable in wealth or resources. We judge with evil thoughts those who offend our eyes or sensibilities.
I am constantly irritated by the eyesore of homeless people occupying public spaces in Harrisburg. I find myself literally despising people who constantly litter or vandalize, failing to see them as the poor or the oppressed. I have never once looked at them as chosen by God to be rich in faith or heirs of the kingdom promised to those who love him. Instead I think, “What can I do to never end up like them or be viewed as they are seen?”
To me it makes no difference whether they’re looked upon with compassion, disregard or disdain, I want nothing to do with those whom I’d rather ignore, or better yet, wish didn’t exist. Like Jesus, I wish to dismiss their claim upon my attention or my shared place upon this earth.
I don’t wish to spend time navigating through their claimed or discarded possessions, nor hear about their circumstances. In short, I don’t wish to share my resources because like Jesus, I can choose to not claim responsibility for whatever has become their lot in life.
I’m pretty sure it is the rich who do the oppressing. Money buys all kinds of privileges, that’s why it’s nice to have more than most. You see, once you get beyond trying to just have enough, then we strive to have that extra amount which affords us luxury or privilege, which buys us a better seat, so to speak.
Alright, James. I hear you. “So speak and act as one judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it to say we have faith, but do not have works?” Faith alone will not save. We must supply the bodily needs of our brothers and sisters, warmth and daily food. We cannot wish them peace otherwise.
Just as Jesus could not escape notice in the region of Tyre, we are not to escape noticing those in need, those humbled by their circumstance, those bent low and bowed down. Now the person did not belong there. They were not a member, in fact, they originated from a different place. Nonetheless, they begged for attention and to have their needs met. How the words of Jesus haunt me. “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
Let America be first, let my children get ahead in life, let me save up for retirement first, let American citizens have access to healthcare, education and other government services before you go handing out benefits to illegal immigrants or those who refuse work.
But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Yes. I’m okay with letting those in need have surplus or scraps. If that’s what you’re asking for, here’s a few dollars or a check. There have been times when I realize that a homeless person asking for money is far better than being robbed at gunpoint.
The woman is rewarded for doing the most obvious thing: asking for help. The demon leaves her daughter; she returns home and finds her child lying on the bed. Notice that even as an outsider who is entitled to no privileges or benefits, that the woman has a home to return to and a bed in which her daughter lies. There was a demon, but now it is gone.
And as if that wasn’t enough to prove what Jesus is about or satisfy the crowds: Some people bring a deaf man with a speech impediment and beg Jesus to lay his hand on him. Jesus looks up to heaven, sighs, and prays for exactly what needs to happen. He prays for what must occur so that what is closed becomes open, what was bound or restrained to be released.
In the little girl and the man, what is closed becomes open, what was bound or restrained becomes released. If only fixes were that simple and immediate, Jesus. If only, like you, we knew exactly what needs to happen in order to make things right. If we only had your wisdom and insight, your power and resources, we’d give more or do more if we only knew what the solutions were. I mean, aren’t we all prepared to vote for whoever seems more able to fix things, to procure what’s needed so everyone has what they need, the person who will maintain or gain control as to increase the security of our nation and people?
We have everything in common with those who claim membership, with those who expect to receive what is offered based on preferential status. What Jesus asks us today is whether we are willing to identify with those experiencing severe limitations, those who are not able to provide or those who are not currently provided for. Who will we carry to his feet and beg for Jesus’ help?
Do we realize that Jesus does everything well? Are we astounded by his generosity and do we wish to imitate it or will we reserve what is ours by birthright? Will we claim to have purchased the privilege of roadside assistance? Will we celebrate having limited expenses due to leveling up: purchasing extended towing mileage, to become eligible for discounts, etc. etc.
Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam titles in singles and two in doubles. He was the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team, and the only black male to ever win the singles titles at Wimbledon, the Us Open, and the Australian Open.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ashe
I’m not a tennis fan, but I am a fan of Arthur Ashe. At age 36, he had a heart attack and underwent quadruple bypass surgery. In 1983, during surgery he acquired AIDS from a blood transfusion. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on World AIDS Day, December 1, 1992, he addressed the growing need for AIDS awareness and increased research funding, saying: “We want to be able to look back and say to all concerned that we did what we had to do, when we had to do it, and with all the resources required.”
A shortened version of that quote reads like this other quote of his: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe died at age 49 from complications from pneumonia related to AIDS. He wrote a terrific memoir about his life and the challenges he faced. His mom died at age 27 from toxemia of pregnancy. He and his brother grew up surrounded by a culture of racism, but Arthur grew up to transcend many barriers. In fact, every barrier he faced became a platform from which he advocated.
The Syrophenician woman demonstrates advocacy along with those persons who brought forth the man who could not hear or speak. Let us pray.
Lord, help us to become zealous, to speak up and act passionately, so that you and the work you do does not escape notice. Make us active participants of your justice and mercy. Both desperately need to become visible in this world through your followers for the sake of others and to give you the glory. IYHNWP, Amen.