ALL ARE CHILDREN OF GOD! ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Wednesday, 3^rd August 2016,

Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Jer 31: 1-7;

Jer 31: 10-13;

Mt 15: 21-28

ALL ARE CHILDREN OF GOD!

The Gentile woman in the Gospel becomes an illustration of faith. She is a descendant of the ancient Canaanites, the bitter biblical enemies of Israel whose paganism had often led Israel into idolatry.

Jesus is not cursing the woman, but he is putting her off. It is possible that he is testing her, as teachers sometimes tested their disciples, but he is certainly reluctant to grant her request and is providing an obstacle for her faith. Perhaps he is requiring her to understand his true mission and identity. He is surely also summoning her to recognize Israel's priority in the divine plan, a recognition that for her will include an admission of her dependent status.

The woman by hailing Jesus as Son of David, has already acknowledged him as the rightful king over a nation that had conquered her ancestors - more than many of his own people had done. Now she refuses to dispute that Jesus' mission is to Israel first and that her status is secondary to that of Israelites; nevertheless, she believes Jesus will have more than enough power left over from what Israel does not need or want. Jesus responds to such striking faith. Jesus has enough bread for Israel, but the following narrative reinforces that plenty of scraps remain over for others. Matthew reminds his community that all, both Jew and Gentile, can approach God only through faith in his Messiah.

Prayer: Lord, let all the people experience Your love for them through me. Amen.