A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 15:21-28
21 At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22 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.”
23 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.”
24 He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
26 He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
28 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: Persistence in Prayer
Good News: Let it be done for you as you wish.
Our gospel above is one of the most controversial stories in the bible. The heroine in the story is a Canaanite woman which means she does not belong to the chosen people. She approaches Jesus with loud pleas for the healing of her daughter who was tormented by a demon. The disciples wanted to send her away. Jesus too was initially dismissive of her and even compared her to a dog! The woman was undaunted. She knelt before Jesus, desperately crying and reasoning that even the dogs eat scraps that fall from their master’s table. At last, Jesus noticed her great faith and granted her wish.
We can speculate upon many reasons why Jesus compared the woman to a dog. Perhaps Matthew wanted to remind us of Rahab, another Canaanite woman in the genealogy of Jesus. Maybe Jesus wanted to test the woman’s faith. Maybe Jesus wanted to sound Jewish or Matthew tries to present Jesus as a champion of the Jewish tradition of separating themselves from unclean people. Whatever the reason is, the message of Jesus is clear. Like the woman in the story, we need to be persistent in our prayer request.
The woman loves her daughter very much and she desires healing for her. She heard about Jesus. He is the Lord, the son of David. She knew that He is her only hope. Although there were obstacles on her quest, she was obstinate and she will never give up until her request is granted. This is the kind of faith Jesus wants from us.
God is merciful. When we cry out to the Lord day and night, He will answer our prayer. What we wish will be done to us according to our faith.
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The gospel reading above narrates the story of a Canaanite woman who approached Jesus, pleading for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. This passage, often referred to as the “Faith of the Canaanite Woman,” is a profound lesson on faith, persistence, and the breaking of barriers.
In this passage, the Canaanite woman, considered an outsider by Jewish standards, approaches Jesus with a bold request: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly” (Matthew 15:22). Initially, Jesus does not respond, and even His disciples urge Him to send her away. However, the woman’s persistence and unwavering faith are evident as she continues to plead, undeterred by silence or rejection.
Jesus then tests her faith, saying, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Yet, the woman humbly and wisely responds, acknowledging her place but still appealing to Jesus’ mercy: “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (Matthew 15:27). This response moves Jesus, and He commends her great faith, granting her request and healing her daughter.
This narrative teaches us several valuable lessons. First, it highlights the power of persistent faith. The Canaanite woman did not let societal norms, initial silence, or seemingly harsh words deter her. She believed in Jesus’ power and compassion and was willing to humble herself, showing that true faith often requires perseverance and humility.
Second, it challenges us to look beyond boundaries and prejudices. Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman signifies a breaking of ethnic and cultural barriers, illustrating that God’s love and grace are available to all, regardless of background. The story encourages us to approach God with boldness and humility, knowing that His mercy transcends all human divisions.
Lastly, the passage is a reminder of the inclusivity of God’s kingdom. The woman’s faith and Jesus’ response foreshadow the opening of salvation to all nations. It emphasizes that faith is not limited to a particular group but is a gift available to everyone who believes.
In our own lives, we are called to emulate the Canaanite woman’s faith and persistence. We may face challenges and feel unworthy, but this story assures us that God’s grace is sufficient. It inspires us to approach God with confidence, knowing that His love knows no bounds and that our faith, no matter how small, can move His heart.
