Have pity on me, Lord, son of David!
Published Aug 3, 2022 12:06 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus journeys into the Mediterranean region of Tyre and Sidon, populated mostly by Gentiles. Perhaps his fame as a teacher and healer has preceded him, that is why a desperate Canaanite woman comes out pleading him to exorcise the demon from her daughter. Jesus shows himself indifferent, saying he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He is harsher still when she compares the woman and her kind to “dogs” — a proverbial reference of the Jews to the Gentiles. But the Canaanite woman’s repartee proves equal to Jesus’ words. Already calling him the Son of David, she humbly answers that even a dog like her has a share from the scraps that fall from the table of the children (the Israelites). In a “struggle” similar to that of Jacob and the mysterious divine being (Gn 32:23-31), Jesus is “prevailed over” by a pagan woman torn by her tremendous love for her daughter. Like the mysterious stranger in Jacob’s story, he gives her his “blessing” by healing her daughter that very moment. This incident would make it easier for the Jewish Christians to welcome the Gentiles to their community later. Salvation brought by Jesus is for all.
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 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.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Jesus journeys into the Mediterranean region of Tyre and Sidon, populated mostly by Gentiles. Perhaps his fame as a teacher and healer has preceded him, that is why a desperate Canaanite woman comes out pleading him to exorcise the demon from her daughter. Jesus shows himself indifferent, saying he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He is harsher still when she compares the woman and her kind to “dogs” — a proverbial reference of the Jews to the Gentiles. But the Canaanite woman’s repartee proves equal to Jesus’ words. Already calling him the Son of David, she humbly answers that even a dog like her has a share from the scraps that fall from the table of the children (the Israelites). In a “struggle” similar to that of Jacob and the mysterious divine being (Gn 32:23-31), Jesus is “prevailed over” by a pagan woman torn by her tremendous love for her daughter. Like the mysterious stranger in Jacob’s story, he gives her his “blessing” by healing her daughter that very moment. This incident would make it easier for the Jewish Christians to welcome the Gentiles to their community later. Salvation brought by Jesus is for all.
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 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.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.