Brian’s Reflection: The Weekend, Sat, Sept 5, 2009

Jesus [is approached by a Syrophoenician woman]. She begged him to cast the
demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it
is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." But she answered
him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said
to her, "For saying that, you may go-- the demon has left your daughter." So she
went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

- The Gospel called “Mark”, chapter 7 [Prop 18B, RCL]

We human beings are stuffed with contra-human puss. (Oooh, strong word, sorry!). It’s part of being human. But the best-thinking of us over the millennia have detected a core, a “heart”, a “something” which defines Highest Human Essence. It all comes from ourselves – that’s the amazing wonder of being who we are. [Some would say that “God” puts it there; it’s the same thing.] And each one of us – if we are fortunate enough to have been brought up in a setting that eschews Ignorance – is trained in the capacity and flexibility to make the choices that “make us fully human”.

We all have to embrace and come to love the metaphorical Syrophoenician Within. That part of us which thinks that we are not worthy of knowing how to be Whole. The Christ, Who represents the purpose of the Universe, wants us all to come to this Wholeness. The Christ of the Bible is always confronting that part of us that quails to reach out for our Wholeness.

So, how charming and attractive is this Syrophoenician rebel within us that we see in Mark today. We have to root for her! Because she is our “best self”. That SW refuses to be dismissed! Even when challenged by the Creator, she comes back with a quick and smart retort! Oh no! I won’t let anything stand in the way of receiving the blessings I need to become Whole.

The Smiling One within us can only say one thing – and delightedly so. “The demon has left you; Grow in Love.”

Brian+