Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where we read the Daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day! Let’s get started! Today is Thursday, February 12th, and the Gospel reading is Mark 7, 24-30, and the scripture to reflect on is Mark 7, 28.
But she answered him, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.
Do you have a dog?
What do you feed your dog?
Canned dog food?
Dried dog food?
Do you ever feed him scraps from the table?
Our vet says that you should not feed your dog table scraps, because the extra seasonings and salt might make them sick.
That may be true, but just try to convince your dog of that as he sits by the table, watching you enjoy a juicy steak.
That steak might not be a good idea to share with your pups, but that doesn’t keep them from begging for a little scrap, hoping that just one small bite might fall on the floor for him.
When Jesus came to earth, he came to preach and teach, first to the Jews.
That does not mean that he didn’t love the other people of the world.
When the other people saw Jesus healing the sick and lame, they followed him wherever he went.
One day, there was a woman from Canaan who came to Jesus and asked him to heal her daughter and refused to give up.
Coming closer and closer, she knelt down and begged him, Please help me, Lord.
She addresses him as Lord, she identifies herself as the dog, and she asks only for crumbs.
She has faith and humility, and Jesus grants her request.
Today’s Saint of the Day, Saint Apollonia.
Her birth is unknown, but she died in the year 249.
She’s the patron saint of dentists and those with toothaches.
Apollonia loved Jesus, and she had for a long time.
Apollonia was old enough to be a grandmother.
She was a leader in her church and helped to lead people to Jesus.
One day, the ruler of her city of Alexandria decided that Christianity was illegal.
The ruler ordered his soldiers to kill Christians immediately.
So Christians began fleeing the city.
Apollonia was caught by an angry mob who beat her, knocking out all her teeth.
The mob told Apollonia to say false things about Jesus, to say that he was terrible and that he wasn’t God at all, or they would throw her into the fire he had with.
Apollonia threw herself into the fire, becoming a martyr because she would rather die than curse her God.
Jesus was so touched of the faith of that woman that he told her that because of her faith, her daughter would be healed.
Jesus loves all of us so much.
He shared his love with all of us.
Jesus was God’s plan all along to bring salvation for all.
God’s grace extends salvation to everyone.
We are like the dogs that can receive whatever the crumbs might fall from him.
Paintings of Saint Apollonia often show her holding a golden tooth to represent all of her losing teeth.
She made a courageous choice.
Instead of letting the mob throw her into the fire, she has to be released for a moment.
Then Wilfrid jumped into the flames herself.
She’s remembered for her bravery, faith, and for helping people feel less afraid of dental pain.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, thank you for loving us so much that you shared your Son with the whole world.
And help me to be courageous in serving you.
Saint Apollonia, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!