August 14, 2005
Patience and Perserverance Mt 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.
I used to think that this was a harsh response by Jesus at first to this woman. Last night, as night reader at vespers prayer, I read aloud a homily by St John Chrysostom about this reading. He says that Jesus refused the woman at first ant the woman had to ask for help three times in order to teach us patience and perservance. The woman was given what she asked for and praised for her faith. I need to remember throughout the day, perservance in the needs that I have from God now. I need to be persistant in the works that I need to perform for the day and in my prayers and my faith.
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.
I used to think that this was a harsh response by Jesus at first to this woman. Last night, as night reader at vespers prayer, I read aloud a homily by St John Chrysostom about this reading. He says that Jesus refused the woman at first ant the woman had to ask for help three times in order to teach us patience and perservance. The woman was given what she asked for and praised for her faith. I need to remember throughout the day, perservance in the needs that I have from God now. I need to be persistant in the works that I need to perform for the day and in my prayers and my faith.
posted by Joan Morris at 7:28 AM
<< Home