Matthew 15:21-28

Gospel according to Matthew 15:21-28

And departing from there, Jesus withdrew into the areas of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan, going out from those parts, cried out, saying to him: “Take pity on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is badly afflicted by a demon.” He did not say a word to her. And his disciples, drawing near, him, saying: “Dismiss her, for she is crying out after us.” And responding, he said, “I was not sent except to the sheep who have fallen away from the house of Israel.” But she approached and adored him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And responding, he said, “It is not good to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord, but the young dogs also eat from the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus, responding, said to her: “O woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you just as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Reflections

In today’s Gospel Jesus goes to the fringes. He goes to parts of Canaan where people of Tyra and Sidon live who are considered “foreigners” to the Israelites. There he encounters a woman who shouts and screams on the streets. She is asking for his help. Not for herself but for her daughter who is tormented by a demon. She asks Jesus to make a miracle and cast out the demon.

The disciples consider this an embarrassment. Not only does she not stop screaming and yelling after them but she is getting everyone’s attention who happens to be nearby or passing by. The disciples want her to go away. They want her to be silent. In their eyes, she has no right to be demanding and pleading with Jesus. She has no right to interrupt their plans or stand in the way of their path. Jesus notices the woman. “Lord help me!”she shouts and kneels right in front of him! There is no way of avoiding her and Jesus uses this opportunity to show the disciples that God’s mercy has no boundaries and no limits.

He tells her that his mission is to save the people of Israel, the “children.” Jesus uses strong imagery: “It is not right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” The woman rises to the occasion and replies “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” She affirms that she places herself absolutely at the mercy of Jesus’ good will. Jesus grants her request and admonishes with her with the words: “Woman, great is your faith!”

We are invited to join the scene as the people witnessing Jesus’ mercy. No boundaries, no race, no creed, no circumstances will separate us from the love of God if we wholeheartedly ask for his help: “Lord, save me!” He will hear us for he is right there.