Fr Joe’s Gospel Reflection Aug 14 – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 Gospel: Matthew 15, 21 – 28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

Homily

For those of us who grew up in the fifties and sixties, the film “Gandhi” was an eye opener. It showed us in very graphic detail how the determination of one person could inspire others to fight against discrimination and injustice until freedom was obtained. This is indeed the story of all liberation movements. It is the story of Martin Luther King in the United States. It is the story of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. It is the story of Mons. Romero in El Salvador.

The stories of these three men teach us that the end of injustice and prejudice does not come easily. Two of the men mentioned lost their lives in the struggle; another spent long years in jail but their struggles tell us that prejudice and injustice are only overcome by the determination of those who suffer prejudice and injustice to overturn the system. Those who benefit from prejudice and unjust structures never give these up willingly. It has to be wrestled from them, not violently but with respect, courage and determination.

This is illustrated very beautifully in the Gospel reading which we have for this weekend.
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The story is well known to us. Jesus is in the district of Tyre and Sidon and a Canaanite woman,

a pagan with whom the Jews will have no dealings,  calls out to him to heal her daughter who is possessed. Among the Jews this woman HAS TWO STRIKES AGAINST HER. She is a woman and she is a pagan. Like any good Jew of his time, Jesus ignores the woman even though she accords him more respect than the scribes and Pharisees. She recognized him as Lord and Son of David, both of which are messianic titles and which the scribes and Pharisees refused to give to Jesus. Therein lies the problem of prejudice, it blinds us to the good in others. Neither the disciples nor Jesus seemed to recognize anything of worth in the Canaanite woman. The woman continues calling after Jesus and makes herself a nuisance. The disciples ask Jesus to run her away from them. Jesus tells the woman that he had no time for her. His time was to be spent helping the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” not pagans. This woman is determined however to get help for her daughter and so without losing any respect persistently asks for the help she needed. “Lord” she said, “Help me”. Jesus gives her a cutting reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” Very determined to get help for her daughter, the woman replied; “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” She in fact uses Jesus’ own words to tell him that what his own people did not recognize as beneficial, she did. Jesus’ resistance could not but crumble before this act of faith in his person. He accedes to this pagan woman’s request saying; “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

The prejudice against this woman is defeated by her determination to get help for her daughter while doing the correct thing. She does not descend into name calling or insults. She proclaims her faith in Jesus calling him “Lord” in spite of what is done to her, until he recognizes her as a person of great faith, worthy of being helped just as much as a Jew.

Therein lies a great lesson for us. The Canaanite woman, in making her request, stayed in the realm of the positive and possible, with persistence and determination. She suffered abuse but did not descend into invective and diatribe and that attitude brought about the change of heart which was needed if her daughter was to be healed.

Prayer

All powerful and ever-loving God help us to learn from the Canaanite woman of faith.
Help us to understand that the overturning of prejudice does not come about through acts of violence but by the determination to demand what is rightfully ours, always acting out of respect for ourselves and for others, especially those who are prejudiced against us. Help us to understand and follow the example of the great liberation fighters who believed and lived the code of non-violence. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, our Mother and Jesus, your Son. Amen