Reflection
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the Canaanite woman who asks Jesus to cast a demon out of her daughter. In past reflections on this passage, I have focused on the persistence of the woman, relating it to my prayer life. But today, I realize that, while persistence in prayer is virtuous and necessary, there is a bigger message here.
At first glance, the Gospel passage could make it seem like Jesus was having a bad day or woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Nothing could be further from the truth. But why in the world, then, would Jesus refer to the Canaanite woman as a dog and say that he was sent only to the children of Israel? If we look at the passage in the light of the Old Testament, we see that God tends to test his servants. God tested Noah when he asked him to build an Ark and gather the animals and his family into it. God tested Abraham when he promised him a son and asked him to sacrifice Isaac. God tested Job when he permitted Satan to take away his wealth, his family, and his health. In like manner, Jesus tested the Canaanite woman.
Like Noah, Abraham and Job, the woman passes the test. Rejected three times, she accepts her status as a non-Israelite “dog” and continues to ask Jesus to heal her daughter. She knows that Jesus alone is the One who can cure her daughter. But Jesus reveals the key to what she desires, and it isn’t just her persistence.
The Canaanite woman is a tremendous model of faith. She has heard about the mighty deeds Jesus has done, especially his healings and his exorcisms. She knew that curing the affliction of her daughter surpassed her own power. She was powerless to release her daughter from the torments of the devil. But she believed that Jesus, the Son of David, could. Neither Jesus’ initial silence, nor the efforts of Jesus’ disciples to silence her, nor the challenge Jesus made could stop her prayer of petition. Her faith in Jesus was all she had, but it was a great faith.
Jesus can and will give us everything we desire in accordance with His Will. But we are called to have great faith, even when things look bleak or we are seemingly rejected by unanswered prayer. Our faith must exceed our human understanding and emotions. Our faith can lead us to say to the Lord, “Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
Does my persistence in seeking God’s Will reflect a great faith?
Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3513