The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

Today's Reflections

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith 

graceandspace.org/welcome

Mt 15:21-28

²¹Jesus... withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²²And 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.” ²³But 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.” ²⁴He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” ²⁸Then 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! She has an urgent need, not for herself but for her daughter. The woman is at first rejected and told to go away by the disciples. Jesus gives her the cold shoulder and then makes a harsh statement. But the woman does not lose her patience, her temper, or her composure. She insists and perseveres.

What makes the woman accept all this humiliation and rejection? It is her maternal love for her daughter. It is love that makes her approach Jesus and endure everything.

Jesus wants us not to lose hope. Jesus wants a persevering faith. Most of all, Jesus grants our request if we do it with love and for love.

Before we buy anything for ourselves, we think first of our children.

Before we sleep, we see to the safety of our loved ones.

What do we want Jesus to do for our loved ones?