"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 from that moment."
- Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV)
December 27, 2022
2nd Day After Christmas
Dream Bigger
We know the story of the Canaanite woman who followed Jesus and begged for help for her tormented daughter. The disciples urged Jesus saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” Jesus, initially responded to the mother, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman refused to let Jesus’ followers delude themselves with this myopic view. Their ministry was not to be restricted to their tribe. God said to, “dream bigger!”
True story: To say that Debbie has a green thumb is an understatement. She looked past an underutilized, unattractive, weed and mosquito infested courtyard in the back of a homeless shelter and saw an oasis. She imagined a sustainable source of fresh and nutritious herbs, vegetables and berries to help feed the food insecure in Silver Spring, Maryland. Debbie sold her vision to the management of the shelter and now has volunteers to help realize her vision. Fall plants have sprouted. Daily, chefs were able to harvest peppers, parsley, and basil. Even the starlings come for their daily ration of cilantro (until we got the netting in place).
Debbie is grateful for donations of labor, ideas, and even native plants from the community. She said, “I either have to cut back on volunteer hours or dream bigger.”
Brother Carlos E. Botts
Mighty Men of Metropolitan
Music and Creative Arts Ministry
Prayer: Lord, as we participate in creating this New Kingdom, open our hearts and minds to dream bigger. Amen.
Advent 2022
We invite you to join us during the Advent season as we reflect on the virtues of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love; as we anticipate Christ's birth; and prepare our hearts to receive him.
Each day a new reflection with a scripture and prayer will be posted on the Metropolitan AME Church website and social media to encourage you as we prepare.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and reflect along with us offline.