Mk 7:24-30
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet.
Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. 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.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Laugh with Jesus
When I think of Jesus, I don’t often think of him laughing and having a sense of humor. But today’s reading shows that Jesus does have a sense of humor and that he appreciates a clever line. Jesus simply would not have drawn the crowds that he did if he wasn’t fun to be around.
We are always so serious in our dealings with God. My closest friends are the people I can laugh with, the people that get my jokes. I would think God would sometimes like to tell us to lighten up and treat him like we treat our friends.
Have you ever just chilled out with God? Can you imagine God gently teasing you? What would he tease you about? Can you imagine teasing God, being playful with God? Does God groan at your puns?
—Peg Anderson is an attorney with Fox Swibel in Chicago and is on the board of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, Illinois.
Prayer
Lord, help us to recognize how much you want to be a friend to us. Help us to nourish that friendship with love and laughter. Amen.
—Peg Anderson