Deacon Greg 8-16-20

Many people have wondered out loud about these recent COVID times. While we know it's a pandemic, some wonder if it was sent by God to teach us a lesson of some sort, like some kind of plague. Others see it for what it is... A virus yet to be controlled, calling upon us to respond in a manner that is best for community and ourselves. The question is: What is best for our community and ourselves? While the debate for answers goes on, no one can doubt that this is indeed a test of sorts. It's a test of patience. It's a test of trust. It's a test of endurance. And pertinent to today's Good News, it's a TEST OF FAITH!

Last week, the Gospel offered us the story of the Disciples being tossed about on their boat during a storm at sea. When Jesus came towards them on the water, they said it was a ghost! When Peter knew it was him, he asked him to command that he walk out to the Lord, and with that, Peter began to walk on the water! But when the wind picked up, and he began to sink, Peter reached out and said "Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' After they got into the boat, the wind died down," and all the Disciples agreed that this was the Son of God!

Of course they did! Only the Son of God could calm a storm! But in a way, this was not the lesson, and the Disciples didn't recognize that... They did not pass the test!

Which brings us to today's Gospel, where we hear probably the harshest thing the Lord has ever said, as he refuses to hear a woman's request for the healing of her daughter. After her request, Jesus responds with, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

OUCH!

In today's Gospel, it is a Canaanite Woman who approaches Jesus asking for his healing touch to help her daughter, who is possessed by demons. Her initial greeting was, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

At first, she is met with zero response. Then the Disciples ask her to leave and stop making trouble, which only prompts Jesus to seemingly agree with them, saying that he has been "sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel."

And so, maybe like last week, a storm of sorts begins to brew, and another test begins, but this time it's the woman who becomes the star pupil, and the Disciples will soon learn from her.

Remember that woman is from Canaan, and not from Israel... In a ubiquitous way, the Israelites never liked Canaanites and Canaanites felt the same about the Israelites... They have very little respect for one another, as they see things differently... Especially when it comes to God.

So this Canannite woman, pays Jesus homage and asks for his help, and in our understanding of Christ, and through our upbringing as Catholic Christians, Jesus would never ignore someone's plea, nor would we be comfortable with anyone turning a deaf ear to anyone in need. However, Jesus says to her, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

The test, if you will, continues... Consider this:

She first called out to him with the words “Son of David.” This is a term hallowed by use in the ancient Hebrew scriptures, always referring to the Messiah. She is a Canaanite, and they did not believe in any Messiah-to-come, especially not one that would descend from David. Yet this woman, against her whole background, seems to have belief in Jesus as Messiah. Secondly, she calls him “Lord.” In Matthew’s Gospel this is an explicit admission that Jesus and God are one. Going just on her language, this seems to suggest that she sees him as the Savior. How could she, one of the Canaanites with their strange gods, be a woman who believes in the one God and in Jesus as the Christ? Is it possible that Jesus was drawing her out in order to test and strengthen her belief, using the word “dogs” more as a reference to the names these two peoples called each other, instead of it being a harsh and personal derogatory term aimed at her? Maybe it was something like this: “My people of Israel believe in the one God and your people do not. How can I give their food to you ‘dogs,’ as you call are called.”

But here's the fun part... The woman’s quick wit provides a wonderful and humble, response that wins the day. “Even dogs eat scraps that fall from their master’s table,” she says. It is a gutsy retorque, a counter-thrust, and Jesus loves it. Her quick reply to the Lord was that, “It does not matter what a person’s status is as long as they believe. And I do believe.”

It's fair to imagine Jesus smiling a great smile as he says, “O woman, great is your faith!” I guess at this point, she passed this test of sorts, teaching the Disciples not to judge too quickly. Remember, Jesus did not agree with the initial advice to remove her because of an assumed understanding of her being a Canaanite . He gave her time to show her faith. And yes, he gladly gave her what she asked for, and cured her daughter.

Here’s what the Disciples learned that day, and here’s our challenge for the week: Like the Canaanite woman recognizing Jesus as "Son of David", we are called to see the Lord for who he truly is... God, the Word made flesh, the Messiah and the Christ. Just as she approaches him with a contrite heart, adding “have pity on me,” we too must humbly ask our Lord to help us and guide us in spite of who we are, and have the faith that he can heal us and the ones we love.

Did you know that we already do this every time we come to Mass? In just a few moments, before coming to Communion, we say, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

Christ’s hears us when we ask for what we need. He loves us, especially when we let nothing stand in the way of our loving him! He celebrates us when we dare to overcome obstacles, like people's perceptions of our own origins, or our status in life, or our sins, and maybe even our being rejected by others!

Let us have faith, even in the face of these storms. Let us have faith, in spite of our perceived or misunderstood realities. Let us have faith, and be willing to overcome any obstacle placed between us and the healing power of Jesus Christ!

Like last week's invitation to Peter to "come" with trust out on to the waters, and this week's example of a confident woman of faith... Let us humbly come to Jesus Christ!

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