Rev. Megan McDermott

I'm Megan. I'm the associate minister at an Episcopal church in Western Massachusetts. This blog is a place for me to share my sermons, as well as other reflections. The original name of this blog, "Beyond Good Christian Girls," reflects a deep-felt desire to communicate a Christianity that isn't about fitting into gendered boxes or meeting arbitrary expectations of goodness. My own faith grew when I began to let go of the idea of being a "good Christian girl" and focused on being who God called me to be, and I hope that I can encourage others in making similar journeys of faith.

Recollections: A Poem for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

This poem is based on the Gospel text for this Sunday, which is Matthew 15:21-28. You can read it, and the other lectionary readings for this Sunday, here. 

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Photo from Jonatas Domingos: https://unsplash.com/@jdomingosfotografia


Recollections

Will she even remember the exchange?

The harshness
turned to affirmation,

her own voice, hoarse,

or just the healing,

the rushing home, the daughter
sitting up in bed, herself again,
able to hug her back?

What will she answer
when her daughter asks
what the man was like?

Will she say stern?
Say merciful?

Say both?

Will she soften the story
to a seeking Messiah,
or will she prefer the way
that it was – her own screams
sharing spotlight?

The healing a gift,
but one she provoked. 

Megan

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