Thursday 12 February

Genesis 2:18-25; Psalm: 128; Mark 7:24-30

God and neighbour

God created human beings to be in relationship with one another and with God. There is no place for shame so long as this relationship is not abused. But the respect and dignity due to God and neighbour is easily forgotten when prejudice and intolerance get in the way. In praising the Syrophoenician woman for her persistence and in curing her daughter, Jesus moves beyond the strictures of human prejudice and intolerance to show that his saving and healing message is for all who choose to believe in his word.