Reposting of Sermon Notes, Sept. 9 Prov. 22, James 2,Mk. 7:24-37

The book of Proverbs has lost its stature, especially in the academic community. The lectionary gives us but a taste of its material. Alyce McKenzie some time ago wondered if the relative avoidance of Proverbs could be passing. After all, they fit our contemporary context well. We may be losing some of the old proverbial expressions, but they have been replaced by slogans. Sometimes, I enjoy being part of the trivia contests for fundraisers that are popular in our area, even as they show the decline of my memory. Sometimes, one of the categories is advertising slogans, and it is amazing to hear how quickly people come up with the words, and what a smile comes over their face just with the memory of it. In a time when we are wary of making big picture, universal statements, the fairly random expressions contained in the book fit our different strokes for different folks mindset. Proverbs are distilled bits of wisdom. Sometimes they can become mere cliches by overuse or poor application. They are guideposts of good social behavior, ways for us to appropriate wisdom from folks sources or the studies of scholars. they point out the paths to avoid, the ones where fools not only dare but prefer to tread. What I like about proverbs is that they fit situations, but they are not the last definitive word on the subject, as they conflict. Out of sight out of mind is countered by absence makes the heart grow fonder. look before you leap is countered by he who hesitates is lost, or good things come to those who wait.We would be quick to pass over the Proverbs selected for today, for they deal with our attitudes and actions toward the poor. Perhaps Jesus had the proverb, “charity begins at home” in his mind when approached by the woman. Jesus may have issued a proverbial expression to the lady asking for some health, so maybe it was not heard quite as bad as it sounds to our ears. Sharon Ringe says Jesus was caught with his compassion down (21). Maybe he was suffering from “compassion fatigue” and needed a praeyr break. I am not sure to the degree the woman’s response is a theological one alluding to the great banquet, but it is certainly a clever riposte that turns the proverbial saying against those who may have opposed the way of God on to its user. For this saying/word/comment go your way.It is possible that she is instrumental in expanding the angle of vision of Jesus.She may be rich (Gench Back to Well:18), but the evidence is scanty, as her daughter is on a good bed, a kline, as in recline. Gail O’Day says that she insists that “Jesus be Jesus.” Her response itself could become a proverb, even the dogs receive the crumbs from the table.” she has managed to turn the tables on Jesus. High station or low station, she approaches Jesus because she is desperate for her daughter's well-being. Still, even with her understandable consternation, she has not lost her ability to think on her feet and to demand equal treatment. she is the opposite of the hothead in Proverbs, she keeps a cool head. One of the signs of a mature personality is the willingness and openness to learn from anyone at any time, to be open to the possibility that we need to change our minds. In this vignette Jesus shows the maturity to learn, to expand his vision of the scope of his mission.Proverbs are small bits of wisdom, and they don’t answer every situation. When they fit, they give us a glimpse of hard-won wisdom, built up by years of experience.A mark of spiritual maturity is to reflect on proverbs of old and experience, to consider what we keep, what we cast away, and where we need to adjust.If Jesus could learn from experience, who are we to think we must be in the right?