Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Rachel’s Day
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Belong
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Confronted, challenged, changed

8.20.2023
|
Daily Grace

Privilege and power show up in the story of the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-37). Jesus is confronted by a Gentile, Greek-speaking woman. This nameless woman of another race is desperately in need of a miracle for her daughter. The woman grovels at Jesus’ feet, believing that he is the Messiah. And yet she is ignored. She continues to plead for Jesus’ attention. Again, he refuses her request. He says to her: “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs” (Mark 7:27).

This Gospel story portrays a Jesus who is dismissive, dehumanizing, and holding firm to his place of privilege. In her persistence, she responds: “Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28). It is in a space of proximity where her voice, the voice of the oppressed, is heard. Jesus is confronted, challenged, and changed. Here, Jesus had gender, race and religious privilege. Jesus chose to use his power to see the women of faith, to challenge his beliefs, and to change his mind.

This message is excerpted from “Confronting our comfort” by Judith Roberts in the July/August 2017 Gather magazine. Today is the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Today we commemorate Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, 1153.


Copyright © 2023 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected].

Share this post

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message.

Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.