Being Flexible

Mark gives us gives us a glimpse of Jesus that is often overlooked in the story of the healing of the Syrophoenician woman's daughter who was possessed by a demon. "He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it..." (Mk 7:24).  Evidently he needed some "me time", but, as Mark says, "he could not escape notice." The woman found him and intruded on his private time, demanding a cure...and arguing that "even the dogs under the table eat the children's scarps." (Mk 7: 28), This one-liner won the heart of Jesus, and despite his abrupt first response, he relented in a humble display of flexibility and announced the cure.
We see a dramatic change in the life of Jerome Emiliani, whose memorial we observe today.  Orphaned and homeless as a teenager, he was headed down the "wrong path", but wisely joined the military and returned to a life worthy of a soldier.  However, more was in store for him.  When captured and imprisoned he made a pact with Mary that if he were freed he would  lead a more Christian life.  The shackles fell from his arms and legs and he walked out of the prison behind Mary.
He began to care for homeless orphans, became a priest and founded a congregation devoted to the care and education of orphans. Quite a switch from his own dissolute path.  His flexibility in the hands of God, through Mary, made all the difference.
As Marists, dedicated to Mary as we are, may we be open to the cries of the needy, especially those we hear today, and be flexible enough to change our plans to go out of our way to help them.
Bro. Rene