“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Sunday, 20th August 2017.
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Is 56:1, 6-7;
Ps 66:2-3, 5-6, 8;
Rom 11: 13-15, 29-32;
Mt 15:21-28
BY FAITH, WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD
Today’s readings present a wonderfully universal perspective on God’s offer of salvation. Jesus came to offer love to all and all are invited to belong to the family of his disciples. As Catholics we are committed to an understanding of Christianity that is meant for all, that is offered to all and that belongs to all who want it. ‘Catholic’ was a name given to Christians very early when it became obvious to outsiders that Christians belonged to all walks of life and welcomed people from all racial and religious groups. Ignatius of Antioch said: ‘Wherever Christ is, there is the Catholic Church’.
The fear of losing their own national and religious identity had led Israel to isolate themselves from other people and to have restrictive rules against foreigners. The book of Deuteronomy orders: “Do not make any covenant with them or have compassion on them… Do not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons, or taking their daughters for your sons, because they would seduce your children to abandon me and adore strange gods”(Dt 7:2-4). On the contrary, today’s first reading from Isaiah tells us: In the house of God no one will be considered foreigner. The Responsorial Psalm picks up the same theme: the psalmist prays that God’s saving help will be experienced by ‘all nations’. Paul expresses the same longing when he prays that all nations will come to know the glory of God as it is revealed on the face of Jesus (1Cor 4:6). In the second Reading, Paul assures his readers that God wants to show mercy to all mankind’ (Rom 11:32).
The first Christian community was confronted with the exclusivism of Jews and Gentiles. Some argued that the gospel was to be announced only to the Israelites. To substantiate their argument, they referred to the behavior of Jesus during his public life (Mt 10:5-6). Due to the short time of his public life, Jesus had limited his mission “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” However, he made clear gestures to indicate that his salvation was for all peoples.
In the Gospel, Jesus is approached by a Greek, Syro-phoenician woman, who sought help from Jesus for her daughter who had a demon in her. Jesus' encounter with this Gentile woman brings out the implication: Gentiles will no longer be separated from Israel. This woman becomes an illustration of faith. This powerless woman, through her persistence wins Jesus’ favour. She refused to take no for an answer, for she was in desperate need. She recognized that she had nowhere else to turn, clinging to the only One who could answer her. This was her act of faith.
Though Jesus responds to her request in firmness: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel”. He spoke to her in a language only she understood, and others did not grasp this conversation. Jesus uses an image of the ‘flock’, which occurred frequently in the Old Testament: “I myself will care for my sheep and watch over them…I will shepherd my flock with justice” (Ez 34:11-16). Presenting himself as a shepherd of Israel, Jesus declares that he intends to fulfill the prophecies and the woman understands. She knows that she is not of the chosen people. However, bowing down to Jesus, she begs: “Lord, help me!”
Jesus responds with more severity in the common language of the Jews: “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the house-dogs.” The Israelites were the sheep, the Gentiles were the dogs. Calling somebody, “dog” being the cruelest insult, which the Jews gave the pagans (Mt 7:6, Rev 22:15, Phil 3:2). On the lips of Jesus this expression surprises, especially if one takes into account the fact that the Canaanite woman turned to him with great respect. Three times she calls him “Lord”.
The key to understanding this interaction is to look at the final result. Jesus gives this woman a wonderful opportunity to manifest her deep faith for all to see. His words allow her to shine forth as a light. The woman did and thus we are able to witness the manifestation of her faith and humility. The woman was not offended to be called a dog. She replies Jesus, saying she is not a street dog, but rather a pet dog of the house. She did not feel she was an outcast. She claimed to be a faithful pet dog, who was faithful and who loved its master. This manifestation of her blind faith in Jesus, granted her the miracle which Jesus wanted to give her. The Canaanite woman is singled out as a model of the true believer. She knows she does not deserve anything, believes that only by the word of Christ she can freely arrive to salvation. She implores and receives it as a gift.
Are we faithful children of our heavenly father? Are we able to say like the woman in the Gospel, we are a faithful to God as a dog to its master? Many a times we are mediums of division and exclusivism. Let us learn from the encounter of Jesus and the Woman and become true children of God. For Paul declares: “In Christ Jesus, all of you are sons and daughters of God through faith…there is no longer any difference between Jew or Greek.., or between man and woman; but all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:26-29).
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I am unworthy of Your grace and mercy in my life in every way. But I also acknowledge that You are merciful beyond comprehension and that Your mercy is so great that You desire to pour it forth upon me, a poor and unworthy sinner. I beg for that mercy, dear Lord, and I place my complete trust in You. Jesus, I do trust in You. Amen