Notes on Mark: Table Scraps

Ernest Gustave Girardot,
A Yorkshire-like terrier

MARK 7:24-30
I always was rather shocked by Jesus' apparent attitude toward this woman. For one thing I know that to call someone a dog in the Middle East is a great insult and for him to use it while turning down this poor woman's request is ... well just not the way I think of Jesus acting toward supplicants.

Barclay provides a good answer to this objection, and one that is exactly in line with how Jesus usually acts. I especially like the idea that this actually turned into witty repartee where Jesus was just waiting for the woman to give the right answer so he could say yes. Sometimes, the truth is in the translation!

The story itself must be read with insight. The woman came asking Jesus' help for her daughter. His answer was that it was not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs...

The dog was not the well-loved guardian that it is today; more commonly it was a symbol of dishonor. To the Greek, the word dog meant a shameless and audacious woman it was used exactly with the connotation that we use the word bitch today. To the Jew it was equally a term of contempt. "Do not give the dogs what is holy." (Matthew 7:6; cp. Philippians 3:2; Revelation 22:15)...

No matter how you look at it, the term dog is an insult. How, then, are we to explain Jesus' use of it here?

1. He did not use the usual word; he used a diminutive word which described, not the wild dogs of the streets, but the little lap-dogs of the house. In Greek, diminutives are characteristically affectionate. Jesus took the sting out of the word.
2. Without a doubt his tone of voice made all the difference. The same word can be a deadly insult and an affectionate address, according to the tone of voice. We can call a man "an old rascal" in a voice of contempt or a voice of affection. Jesus' tone took all the poison out of the word.
3. In any event Jesus did not shut the door. First, he said, the children must be fed; but only first; there is meat left for the household pets. True, Israel had the first offer of the gospel, but only the first; there were others still to come. The woman was a Greek, and the Greeks had a gift of repartee; and she saw at once that Jesus was speaking with a smile. She knew that the door was swinging on its hinges. In those days people did not have either knives or forks or table-napkins. They ate with their hands; they wiped the soiled hands on chunks of bread and then flung the bread away and the house-dogs ate it. So the woman said, "I know the children are fed first, but can't I even get the scraps the children throw away?" And Jesus loved it. Here was a sunny faith that would not take no for an answer, here was a woman with the tragedy of an ill daughter at home and there was still light enough in her heart to reply with a smile. Her faith was tested and her faith was real, and her prayer was answered. Symbolically she stands for the Gentile world which so eagerly seized on the bread of heaven which the Jews rejected and threw away.

The Gospel of Mark
(The Daily Bible Series, rev. ed.)

Barclay's insights above are supplemented by these from Mary Healy.

Jesus' reply expresses his delight with her answer. once can imagine his smile at this lady's chutzpah. Her indomitable faith has moved his heart to accelerate the plan: the "children's bread" is given ahead of schedule to a Gentile. Upon her return home the woman finds her child delivered from the demon. This exorcism is the only work of healing done at a distance in Mark, accenting the efficacy of the woman's faith. In fact, it is one of only two healings at a distance in the Gospels, the other being the cure of the centurion's servant (Matt 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10; see John 4:46-54). Significantly, both involve Gentiles, and both demonstrate remarkable faith, in contrast to the tepid faith Jesus often finds among his own people. His ability to heal by a mere word someone who is not even present is a powerful message for readers of the Gospel: to experience the Lord's power it is not necessary to have seen or touched him as he walked on earth before his resurrection. All that is needed is faith.

Mary Healy, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: The Gospel of Mark

This makes me wonder is my faith strong or lukewarm ... am I expecting enough from God?

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Sources and Notes Index       

Julie and Scott are chased through town by a young Harrison Ford. They would have escaped if Julie didn't have to translate when Scott stopped to get a Coke.

 We can't believe we waited 14 years to discuss Blade Runner! Join us for Episode 377 of A Good Story is Hard to Find.

Mantel Clock

Mantel Clock, about 1789, Clock case attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire,
clock movement by Charles-Guillaume Manière. The J. Paul Getty Museum

San Jacinto Day! Remember Goliad! Remember the Alamo!

Veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto at a meeting of the Texas Veterans' Association in Galveston circa 1880. Center row, third from left: Valentine Ignatius Burch of Tyler County, Texas. Center row, second from left: Valentine Burch. Front row, second from right: George Petty of Washington County.

Courtesy the Star of the Republic Museum via the Portal to Texas History.

Via Traces of Texas.

My friend Don never forgets this ... he's the one always reminding me it is San Jacinto Day He has told me many a time:

I try to remember all of these good Texas holidays. They really bring home how unique the state –and future Republic?—truly is. This one is a real holiday, not like Cinco de Mayo. I mean, if you have a holiday to celebrate beating the French, then every day would be a holiday!

Ha! No kidding!

Let's all lift a margarita high to the Texian heroes of the decisive battle of the Texas revolution!

TV You Might Have Missed #19 — The Mandalorian

This is the Way.

Beginning five years after the events of the film Return of the Jedi and the fall of the Galactic Empire, The Mandalorian follows a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy. He is hired by Imperial remnant forces to retrieve the child Grogu, but instead goes on the run to protect the infant. —  Wikipedia.

We realize this is truly TV we missed while many others jumped on the Mandalorian train. This is for those who, like us, were largely indifferent to the idea of Star Wars TV spinoffs. However, we were casting around for something new to watch a few months ago and thought "Jon Favreau, eh? Let's give it a try." Three seasons (and a Boba Fett spinoff) later, we're true fans. Of the Mandalorian, not so much Boba Fett. 

Space Western is a category we've loved for a long time. Although the first season begins slowly we didn't mind. We were taking in the Western vibe and the truly great world building. For one thing, it was really interesting to see a part of the Star Wars universe where Jedis were considered almost extinct and no one mentioned Luke, Leia, or Han. This is truly the Outer Rim where they've got a hardscrabble existence and more to worry about than how the Empire went down.

As the season went along we saw there was another quality that is all too absent in television — optimism and a happy ending. This is the spirit of Jon Favreau's storytelling that also came across in Chef. I appreciate a story that makes me truly anxious for the hero's quest but also leaves me safe reminding myself in dark moments that everything will work out in the end.

Mandalorian belief is also a fascinating element. We're used to the Force in the Star Wars universe and it's similarity to Eastern philosophies. "The Way of the Mandalore" is a belief system that is more akin to Christian knighthood and we enjoy seeing that in the storylines. 

It's a really enjoyable show and I look forward to rewatching it. We're definitely going to watch the upcoming movie and going to try a couple of the other spinoffs. And we've got our fingers crossed that Season 4, reportedly all written up and in Jon Favreau's desk drawer, will be coming our way soon.

Tuna Assortment

Source

Early Spring-Bluebonnets and Mesquite

Julian Onderdonk, Early Spring—Bluebonnets and Mesquite

Welcome to Texas.

The first job in the morning

It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.

C.S. Lewis

This is especially appropriate for me since I've been reading Romano Guardini's book about prayer which is talking about "recollectedness." And recollectedness is that "coming in out of the wind" that Lewis mentions, during which we may hear that other voice and let that other life come flowing in.

Leaping Carp

Ohara Koson
Completion Date: c.1910, Leaping Carp
Via Wikimedia

Challenging orthodoxy

At any given moment there is an orthodoxy, a body of ideas of which it is assumed that all right-thinking people will accept without question. It is not exactly forbidden to say this, that or the other, but it is "not done" to say it ... Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness. A genuinely unfashionalb eopinion is almost never given a fair hearing, eithe rin the popular press or in the high-brow periodicals

George Orwell

As we all know, "the more things change, the more they stay the same."

My Wife's Lovers

Carl Kahler, My Wife's Lovers

Ok, this is just hilarious.

Blessings and Afflictions

Let's all keep this in mind as we race to meet the deadline for income taxes!

"I dreamed I was getting a guided tour of heaven?" Emmylou says. "I was wearing a jumpsuit and a hard hat and my tour guide, he was the same as I was, and we were in this giant building, kind of an industrial shed like in those boring old movies they used to show us in high school, how they make paper or ice cream. And there was this big huge machine in it, whirring and clanking away, and there was a conveyor belt coming out of one end of it, and on the conveyor belt were rows of golden bricks, but softer: they looked like giant Twinkies, row after row of them, and when they got to the end of the conveyor belt they fell off of it. I looked to see where they were falling to and I saw that there was a big hole in the floor there and through it I could see clouds and blue sky and the earth far below. I asked the guide what the Twinkie things were, and he said they were blessings, and I remember thinking, in the dream, how marvelous is the Lord showering all these blessings down on us. Then we moved on, across an alley and into another big huge shed with the same kind of machine cranking away, the same conveyor belt, the same giant Twinkies falling down, and I said to the guide, 'Oh, these are more blessings,' and he said, 'No, those are afflictions,' and I said, 'Oh, but they look just the same as the blessings,' and he said, 'They are the same!'"

Valley of Bones by Michael Gruber

This is why St. Paul tells us "In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Jesus' point of view is all encompassing and he sees far beyond our current moment to the good we might experience from our afflictions. I have experienced this myself. Never gonna love those afflictions but with the vantage point of time and trust we can see the blessings that come from them.

I see that I never officially reviews the book. A partial review is here. Super thought provoking and gets tons of things right, just as you can see above.

Reclaiming Vatican II: What It (Really) Said, What It Means, and How It Calls Us to Renew the Church by Blake Britton

 I just discovered that I missed posting a review of this excellent book when I first read it. So here we go!

This book does just what it says on the subtitle. With genuine understanding of what motivates both sides, Britton clarifies why there are misconceptions (and misapplications) of Vatican II both by liberals and conservatives. That is no small feat. By looking at why the council was so misunderstood, we see that both liberal and conservative groups are responding to "the paracouncil."

The paracouncil resulted from theologians (who may not have even been at the council), the media and turbulent, secular influences. These combined to skew the intentions of the Vatican II council into something that is loosely referred to as "the spirit of Vatican II." I'd heard the phrase but never paid enough attention to wonder why it was used. After all, if someone said "the spirit of the Bible" we'd go take a good long look at the Bible to see what it really said. No one was doing that with the Vatican II documents. I realized that's like saying "it's the vibe of the thing" which is always dangerous when dealing with the faith. The paracouncil is the reason for the iffy implementation I've noticed in a lot of parishes.

Britton walks us through the reason for the council and the major documents. As he does, we get context from ancient and modern times, what was (and wasn't) included, and thoughtful ways to help implement the true teachings of Vatican II in parishes. Along the way, he shares personal experiences as a parish priest which bring it all to life.

I was left with a profound respect for the council who so skillfully balanced Catholic tradition with the need to renew the practices of the Church so that the people have passion and vigor in their faith. I was left inspired by the council's goals and the examples of instituting proper practice in modern parishes. I'm lucky enough to worship in a beautiful church that has a profound respect for the liturgy, including the music. Here are some of the things that Vatican II added, some of which I knew and some of which I didn't. All of these are implemented in our parish and which I'm profoundly grateful for!

• Revised liturgical calendar which cycles through the gospels in a three year period on Sundays and two-years for daily Mass while including lots and lots of Old Testament scripture too.
• Encouraging Bible reading and study. This has led to a lot of great study programs which our parish uses as well as many books I use myself.
• We should all be saints. The idea that the laypeople are also called to saintly holiness.
• Making sure there is a homily with the Mass. (Who knew that wasn't always a thing? I didn't!)
• The four stages of OCIA (this is the program non-Catholics go through to enter the Church). When I converted, this was a source of unexpected spiritual growth and that was 20 years ago. I thought it always was like that.
• The Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) prayed by the laity. Another thing that I didn't know. I have only recently begun dipping my toes in this practice but am grateful for it.

Reclaiming Vatican II is simply excellent. It is inspirational, informative, and easy to read and understand. All Catholics should read this book.

Scott and I discussed this on A Good Story is Hard to Find, episode 294.

Also recommended: 

The Vatican II Collection by Bishop Robert Barron

The text of the four main council documents supplemented by explanatory commentary from Bishop Robert Barron and Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. I read the two main council documents soon after I converted after hearing many confusing remarks about Vatican II — which I hadn't heard of. Reading the online publications at the Vatican website showed me that these were highly orthodox, inspirational documents. I admit haven't read these particular books yet ... but someday!

The Bible in Couplets

I'm a sucker for this kind of thing. I shared it here before way back in '05 and once more since then. High time to read it again!

Read aloud for full impact.

The Bible in Couplets
by Christopher Howse

God makes the heavens and the earth
And finds them very nice.

When Adam eats forbidden fruit
He forfeits Paradise.

Mankind grows worse, but Noah's ark
Keeps eight souls in the dry.

There's much begetting; Abraham
Is chosen by and by.

His progeny are Egypt's slaves
Till Moses leads them out;

The Ten Commandments tell them what
Morality's about.

The Israelites gain Canaan, and
Surrounding peoples smite.

King David takes Bathsheba from
Uriah the Hittite,

He then repents, writes psalms, but sins
By numbering Israel,

Repents again, is told by God
His house shall never fail.

A golden temple of the Lord
Is built by Solomon.

The exiled Israelites hang harps
In fluvial Babylon.

Lions don't eat Daniel; Job gets boils;
The prophets prophesy;

Jonah meets fish; the Preacher says
That all is vanity.

Jesus is born in Bethlehem
And is baptised by John

In Jordan, and the Spirit dove
Then him descends upon.

He heals the sick, walks on the sea
And multiplies the bread,

Shares supper with apostles, then
Is crucified, and dead.

He rises from the dead, is seen
By many, then ascends

To heaven, from which he'll return
It says, when this world ends.

Saul (later Paul) falls off his horse,
Turns Christian, hits the trail,

Writes letters to the churches and
Ends life locked up in jail.

Four horsemen, beasts and trumpets fill
The Book of Revelation,

Whose meaning has been subject to
Much vexed interpretation.

Christ and St. Mary Magdalen at the Tomb

Rembrandt (1606–1669)
Christ and St Mary Magdalen at the Tomb
via Wikipedia

I really felt as if I'd featured enough religious art lately. But I just couldn't resist it for a couple of reasons.

Why did Mary Magdalene mistake Jesus for a gardener? The hat and trowel, of course! And the angels lounging around look like high schoolers on break. What a wonderful way to exercise one's imagination on both scriptural accounts and the actual historical event.