Gospel: The Canaanite Woman

Today is the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Gospel that will be read throughoit the Eucharistic celebrations around the world is taken from the account of St Matthew.

Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, "Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil."

But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and pleaded with him, saying, "Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting after us."

He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel."

But the woman has come up and said bowing low before him. "Lord," she said, "help me."

He replied, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to little dogs."

She retorted, "Ah yes, Lord; but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table."

Then Jesus said, "Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted." And from that moment, her daughter was well again.

The Gospel narrates to us how faith in Jesus extends to everyone who has great faith in him. In this reading, Jesus was approached by a Canaanite woman asking for a miracle. But we all know what kind of relationship the Jews have with the Canaanites in the Hebrew Bible. During that period, King David conquered the Canaanites to reclaim the city of Jerusalem and regain the Ark of the Covenant. They are virtually frenemies. 

Jesus in this synoptic account even refused to even speak to her, and even compared her to a little dog. But the relentless faith of this Canaanite woman amazed Jesus, and then eventually granted her request. 

Our faith must always come with great humility. The example of the Canaanite woman tells us how to focus on Jesus, to approach the Lord with our heads bowed low, and with great faith that he will grant our request no matter who we are. Even if we feel we are unworthy of the Lord's presence, but when we focus on the grace of God, and seek him and come with a humble heart, he will grant us what we desire.

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The Gospel is sponsored by Tim Hortons.