As we
prepare to celebrate the year of Faith let us meditate on the Gospel of Mathew
chapter 15 verses 21 to 28. A Canaanite woman and her ardent faith in Jesus is
the theme of this passage. Towards the end we see Jesus admiring her deep faith.
As Jesus was passing through Tyre and Sidon (Mt 15:22) approaches Jesus. She request
for Jesus’ mercy and pleads to heal her daughter possessed by a demon. But we
see Jesus is not responding to her. He turns his face against her. No one expects
such a behavior for Jesus. Even Jesus’ disciples feel sorry for her and beg for
her. In spite these request we see Jesus being rude to her. He states that He
has come for only Jewish people. Even
this is not disheartening her. She kneels before Jesus and seeks his help. Then
we see Jesus justifying his attitude saying that it will not be fair to take
children’s bread and through it to the dogs. This is the most insulting phase
in the interaction. Usually no one will bear this. But here we see a logical
argument from the Canaanite woman. It is some what like a tit for tat. In Gospel we
see many occasions where the Pharisees and Sadducees trying to corner Jesus.
But they were not at all successful. But Canaanite women through his reply: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from
their masters' table" perfectly corners Jesus. Jesus is now
astonished by her deep faith and praises her and heals her daughter.
In this
gospel passage we see the true faith in Jesus. She admits Jesus as son of David
and pleads for the healing of her daughter. Even though Jesus neglects her
pleading initially her continuous requests and the deep faith and hope in Jesus
is answered towards the end. Gospel Luke chapter 11 verses 9 to 12 speak about
the power of prayer. Actually the Canaanite woman does the same. She pleaded
and it was given. She sought and she found; she knocked and it opened to her.
The deep faith of the Canaanite woman is revealed before us.
A reflection on this incident in the gospel
will answer many of our situations. There are times when we feel that Jesus is
not responding to our prayers even after a long time. We feel neglected and disheartened.
Often it may affect the faith level of certain people. Here the only thing is
to strengthen our belief. We have plead continuously just like the Canaanite woman.
We have to put our hope and faith in Lord Jesus. As he has taught in the parable
of the unjust Judge and the widow we have to beseech continuously. Monica the mother
St. Augustine of Hippo pleaded for long 15 years for the conversion of his son.
In the year of faith let us pay heed to the word of God which renews and
reforms us to rediscover our faith in risen lord to be His witness.
