In today’s Gospel a woman asks for compassion and mercy and Jesus answers not a word. She is an “outsider,” a Canaanite woman seeking Jesus’ help: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” Matthew describes Jesus’ response this way: “But he did not say a word in answer to her.” Jesus’ explanation to his disciples seems very harsh: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman however is persistent and will not take “no” for an answer as Jesus seems to reject her a second time:
Jesus: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
Woman: “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Jesus eventually recognizes that his Father is calling him to minister also to “outsiders” beyond the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This woman’s challenge opens Jesus’ eyes to this outsider and God’s love for all people: “O, woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
As we know Jesus is both fully human and divine. Since he is human, he has to grow in his understanding of himself and of his Father’s will (Luke 2:51). It was quite natural for him in the beginning to see his call only to his fellow Jews. Yet Jesus came to do not his own will but the will of his heavenly Father. God worked through this Canaanite woman to expand his horizon and to open Jesus to a deeper understanding of the Father’s will. God’s will was for Jesus to offer mercy and love to all people and nations, both insiders and outsiders, as the prophet Simeon declared when Jesus was presented in the Jerusalem Temple:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace…for my eyes have seen your salvation…a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
Jesus is faithful to his Father’s will and at the end of Matthew’s Gospel sends his disciples to all nations to bring God’s light and glory to all people:
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Image: “NT091.Canaanite Woman” by pcstratman is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.