God teaches Moses how people should live within their families and communities. He forbids certain sexual relationships, such as those between close members of their families, between two men and with animals. The people of Israel had witnessed these activities during their time of slavery in Egypt.
They had now been separated from the sinfulness and idolatry of the Egyptians and God wants to purify His people and create a holy nation, a new culture. He knows that the people who live in Canaan, their destination, are much like those they left behind in Egypt and He wishes to protect His people and keep them pure.
Most of the forbidden relationships of that ancient culture are still unlawful today in Britain, of for no other reason than to prevent deformity and disease from occurring. But, like the Egyptians and Canaanites, our culture continues to push beyond the boundaries and ignore the laws of God.
Jesus not only wants to save the people of Israel, who by now have gone far astray, but in freeing the Gentile woman’s daughter from the clutches of the demon, He demonstrates that His message, His mission is to bring all people back to God.
His healings and His miracles and His subsequent death on a cross were selfless acts for the whole of mankind. He wants us all to repent, he wants to feed and cure us all to this day and beyond, regardless of race, colour or creed. Why? Because God loves His creation and he loves each one of us as individuals.
Scripture: Leviticus 16:29-18:30; Mark 7:24-8:10; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 10:15-16
Contemplative Catholic 