Believing God is Good
Online Worship
Believing God is Good
“As the Canaanite Woman approaches Jesus and the disciples with her plea to heal her daughter, the big question this encounter raises is “Does God love everybody?“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 15:21-28.
Online Worship

Believing God is Good

Good Morning,

Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday August 20, 2023.

I hope and pray that everyone is having a safe summer. If you have had the chance to take some vacation time that it has been refreshing and rejuvenating. 

Today’s Opening Sentence

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom and healed every infirmity among the people. See Matthew 4.23

Today’s Reading – Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.1

Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.

Reflection questions for the week: 

  • It is important for those who have authority and power to be mindful of those who do not. What examples in your life have you seen or experienced where this imbalance has caused harm in our society?
  • Our earthly leaders are not perfect and they don’t always get things right. Sometimes we can challenge them and other time we must find our way through another way. How have you faced it when a boss, or authority figure, gets something wrong or incorrect in your experience?
  • Sometime we don’t get things right ourselves. How have you handled those moments where we have responded without the right amount of compassion and love in your life, especially when others were following your direction?
  • How might you and I be more mindful of these imbalances and ensure that we uphold Jesus’ command to love our neighbour as we love ourselves? 

This week music is again provided by Ryan Van Dijk, our Music Director, and the choir. Thank you to them all for their ministry of music!

A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.

Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.

Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.

God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!

Peace,

The Rev’d Canon Rob Park

  1. Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.