The Gospel section for today is taken from Matthew’s Gospel and we read about the persistence of a woman who approaches Jesus:
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 instantly. (Matthew 15:21-28)
The Canaanites and the Jewish people did not get along. For the Canaanite woman to approach Jesus, she must have put aside her prejudices against the Jewish people. Imagine how she must have felt when Jesus responded the way he did when he said: “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Wow! Yet, the Canaanite woman did not revert to her prejudices; rather, she said: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” What was Jesus doing? Was Jesus being mean? Was he testing her? His response was one of love: “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Sometimes you and I have to set aside our prejudices when we approach Jesus. Sometimes our prejudices keep us away from Jesus. The example of the Canaanite woman is a strong one for those of us who find it difficult to come to Jesus because of something we refuse to let go of.
Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.” —Jonathan Edwards
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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 instantly. (Matthew 15:21-28)
The Canaanites and the Jewish people did not get along. For the Canaanite woman to approach Jesus, she must have put aside her prejudices against the Jewish people. Imagine how she must have felt when Jesus responded the way he did when he said: “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Wow! Yet, the Canaanite woman did not revert to her prejudices; rather, she said: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” What was Jesus doing? Was Jesus being mean? Was he testing her? His response was one of love: “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Sometimes you and I have to set aside our prejudices when we approach Jesus. Sometimes our prejudices keep us away from Jesus. The example of the Canaanite woman is a strong one for those of us who find it difficult to come to Jesus because of something we refuse to let go of.
Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.” —Jonathan Edwards
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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