THE WORD
Jer 31,1-7 / Mt 15,21-28
Then Jesus went from that place and 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.” Shem 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
An eye-catching headline appeared under the section of Health and Family –“Health wise, women are the stronger sex.”
This might apply to the pagan woman in today’s gospel story. She begs Jesus to expel the evil spirit from her daughter and is mentally and emotionally determined to get what she wants fromJesus even though it means stooping like a beggar before the Lord.
She is undeterred by Jesus’ admonition: “Let the sons of the household satisfy themselves at the table first. It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” Her answer: “Please Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the family’s leavings.” The more the woman is humbled, the more she believes. The strong-willed woman finally gets her rewards with an instant healing.
Now it’s not anymore the issue of which is the stronger sex – a woman or a man. Before the Lord we all have needs. Whether you are a man or a woman, these questions apply to both – What attitude do you have when you put your needs before God? Do you do it with humility and faith like the woman or do you act with arrogance and pride? When God delays in answering your requests, do you immediately feel rejected and even begin to doubt his providing you with your needs?
The example of the Syro-Phoenician mother teaches us that before the Lord we don’t have to present ourselves with the heavy baggage of unhealthy attitudes. To please the Lord we need to be happy and optimistic. This in turn insures a healthy relationship with Him. After all, we are God’s children and he knows what is best for us.
- Fr. Noel T. Rebancos, SVD | Chaplain – College of the Holy Spirit Manila
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
