Tuesday April 2

Matthew 15:21-28

Cheryl Szabo

But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Jesus’ words to this Canaanite women are challenging to hear.  They shake up and disrupt our image of Jesus. We know Jesus as healer, accepting of the poor, hungry, sick, tax collectors, women and children, sinners, the least in society.  But now Jesus has rejected this woman who is seeking healing for her daughter. We may find ourselves wondering why. Was Jesus really going to walk away, abandon, her and her daughter?

Maybe there are times in our prayers that we find we feel the same way.  We wonder why our prayers are not answered, we feel abandoned or alone. Our prayers, our innermost thoughts, hopes, requests, are placed before God and Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  Yet, we may feel they are not answered or not answered in the way we want or hoped. But are they? Jesus responded to this Canaanite woman with the words “Woman, great is your faith!” a declaration, an affirmation, of her faith.  Her faith, while challenged, indicates that even she, this Canaanite woman, seeks out Jesus and is hoping, demanding, Jesus’ love and care for her and her daughter. Her faith is made stronger by his very presence and becomes a witness to those around.

 Questions for reflection:

• How does Jesus challenge us in our life of faith?   

• Where and how have you found your prayers to be answered?

 Prayer:

Gracious God, we give you thanks for your unending love for us. Strengthen us in our faith and love for you that we may serve in the world you love so very much.  Amen.