Fourth Sunday of Great Lent (Canaanite woman)

              Faith unlocks the door    

Fr. Dr. Joshi Varghese, Bhilai

(Diocesan Education Officer & PRO, Calcutta Diocese)

Evening: St. Mark 7:24-37, Morning: St. Luke 7:1-10, Before Holy Qurbana: I Sam 7: 10-17, Num. 17: 1-8Is 56: 1-7, Ezk 34:1-16  Holy Qurbana: Acts 4:1-12 Rom 7: 14- 25

St. Matthew 15: 21-31

The incident of the Canaanite woman is often a stumbling block for some readers. One may wonder whether the conversation Jesus had with her can be truly attributed to him, as it seems to contradict his gentle nature.  

a. Faith matters, not the race

​ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”  He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs” (Mt 15:24- 26). 

St. Matthew is believed to have focused on the Jewish or Jewish- Christian readers. The first half of the Gospel has more focus on the Jewish community barring a few exceptions- visit of the non- Jewish Magi (2:1-12), Centurion (8:5-12), and possibly the two demoniacs (8:28–34). The instructions given while sending out the Twelve to “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 10:5- 6) also shows the focus on the Jewish community during the initial stages of Jesus public ministry. While explaining the parable of the weeds, Jesus tries to make the disciples and the Jews understand that his mission in not limited to be the Messiah of the Jews but his “field is the world” (Mt 13:38).

​It can be said that Jesus was reflecting the views of the disciples and other Jews that the Messiah would be sent exclusively for ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. In other words, Jesus was holding a mirror to reflect the public opinion. This becomes clearer with the contrast in the attitude of the Jews and Gentiles to the ministry of Jesus. Even after witnessing many signs, the Jews still demanded for more signs while the gentiles represented by the Centurion and the Canaanite woman shows marvellous display of deep faith in Jesus. Jesus’ apparent initial apathy shown to her can be viewed as a test of her faith, which she passed in flying colours by demonstrating steadfast faith in the “son of David’.  The lesson that Jesus wanted to teach the disciples, and us, is that it is faith that matters, not one’s place of birth or race. Through the incident disciples and Jews were taught that Jesus has “other sheep that do not belong to this fold” and it is His, as well as that of the Church, to ‘bring them also to the same fold’ (Jn 10:16). 

 

b. Mother par excellence 

The love of mother is often praised as the most compassionate expression of love. Mother’s love is even used to compare the depth of God’s love. “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Is 66:13). ” Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? (Is 49:15a). The Canaanite woman can be considered as a model mother. She is the personification of empathy. She knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, help me” (Mt 15:25). She took the torment of her daughter as her own. The daughter was perhaps insensible of her own disease as the case is with such diseases. It was the mother who underwent much suffering on seeing the condition of her daughter. Hence she prays, ‘have mercy on me’.

The Canaanite woman is not bothered about the reactions of others. She was not bothered with the rivalry that existed between Israel and the gentiles. To get her daughter cured, she sought the help of a Jew, Jesus son of David (Mt 15:22). As she knew Jesus is able to give her relief, she is determined to pursue him. The initial silence from Jesus did not deter her from her pursuit. The seemingly insulting references about her race also did not bother her; what mattered were her daughter’s illness and the presence of the one who can cure her. The Canaanite is a representative of “many women whose demands were mocked or pushed aside, whose insistence on justice and equality meant others soured their lips”.

We have witnessed many mothers similar to the Canaanite woman, in the present age also, though there may be few exceptions. The Gospel passage is indeed a glowing tribute to the self- giving love of mothers. It should prod the children and society in general to appreciate the struggles of all mothers, especially those of single- mothers.  

 

c. The power of Intercession

The Gospel portion is one of the beautiful passages about intercession. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone…” ( 1 Tim 2:1). Throughout the Bible we can see instances of intercessions being made. Abraham’s intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18: 16-33) was a lengthy one where he interceded for the cities multiple times. Moses is seen interceding before God for the Israelites whenever they sinned. “ ButMoses implored the Lord his God…Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people… And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people” (Ex 32:11-14). It was Moses intercession that saved Israel from destruction in the wake of God’s wrath. Moses also successfully interceded for his sister Miriam, who along with Aaron had rebelled against him.  

The hallmarks of Canaanite woman’s intercession were deep faith and perseverance. Even when her prayers where not answered she continued to plead. When she was apparently treated with contempt she persistently sought mercy. If our intercessions are not answered initially, itspossible that God is checking the depth of our faith. Let us join the Canaanite woman to plead for mercy without any resentment or anger about the situation we are in. 

 Conclusion

Let us gratefully remember all mothers for their sacrificial love and the pain they undertake for the nurturing of their beloved ones. May the Lenten season help us to fulfil God’s desire ‘to gather together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings’ ( Lk 11:34b). 

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. 

To one without Faith, no explanation is possible”. 

(Thomas Aquinas)