Beloveds,
The poet Carl Sandburg is attributed with the quote: “Be careful with your words; once they are said, they can only be forgiven, not forgotten.” There are many variations of this quote attributed to others. Have you ever said something you wish you hadn’t?
I have. Luckily, grace abounds.
This week’s scripture Matthew 15:10-28 offers us a glimpse into Jesus’s growing edges. At one moment he is telling the people: “It’s not what enters your mouth that defiles you – it’s what comes out of your mouth that defiles you.” Then he has the encounter with the Canaanite woman who was begging for her daughter’s healing, in which he says: “But it isn’t right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Hardly divine, and very human.
She schools him.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 10 am on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream as I reflect upon this text. In the meantime, don’t swallow any toads or spit venom. Invite a friend.
Love,
Rev. Michael