August 3, 2005

Perservance 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 he did not say a word in answer to her. His 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 him 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 her daughter was healed from that hour. This morning, the reading is exactly what I need to hear. I have been trying to solve a specific problem and am growing weary but have a few drawn out possible solutions that require some assistance or cooperation from other people who I do not know well. I will need to ask them for help as the Canaanite woman and persist because it is an important matter and if the problem is solved today, the result will be that good will be done. I certainly do not look forward to asking people I do not know or barely know for help but there is a greater good to be done.