A reading of the holy Gospel according to MT 15:21-28
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
REFLECTION
“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Illnesses have no prejudices. They attack the richest, the poorest, the most intelligent and the dullest of intellects, all colors, creeds, and all peoples on this earth. They affect the quality of life of millions of people. (1)
And families are there to walk with the sick.
The Canaanite woman had her dreams and the dreams of her daughter. I would be willing to bet she tried everything and enlisted and entreated everyone to help her in her present situation.
When you are desperate, whether it be for yourself or a loved one, you will accept insults, perceived injustices, scorn and humiliation. You, at first reluctantly beg and then you boldly beg and make your case.
Imagine a loved one "demon possessed". We don't know how she acted nor what she had done, but her mother was willing to endure the apostles' scorn and at first glance, "indifference by Jesus" to help her.
Have I begged, implored, pleaded or entreated to be noticed or helped? Sometimes. Okay, in fact, many times.
Patiently begging, the Canaanite woman chose to meet Jesus with all present, chose to believe in Him. She was not angry, nor unpleasant. She merely conversed with God, verbalized her points and succinctly answered questions that might have caused a weak faith to falter and leave.
And God rewarded her. “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Thoughts....
If doubt visits me, do I give up?
Do I walk away from hard and difficult situations?
Do I allow my pride to be my master or do I accept with humility who God is and pay Him homage and ask Him to help me?
God Bless You.
(1) Defining Feelings by Grover Shaunty, MSW
