REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus is aware of his mission intended to the house of Israel. However, today’s Gospel presents Jesus as going to the region of Tyre and Sidon where a Canaanite woman asks him for the healing of her daughter who is tormented by a demon. The reaction of Jesus’ disciples is to dismiss the woman, telling him to send the woman away.
Jesus does not do that. Rather, he starts a conversation with her. Jesus tells the woman that it is not right to throw “to the dogs” (tois kynariois) the food intended for the children. The woman pleads with Jesus out of love for her daughter and out of her faith in Jesus. She tells him that even “the dogs” (ta kynaria) would eat the scraps falling from the master’s table. With this, she implies that even the outsiders are in need of the same blessings given and enjoyed by the insiders.
Can we accept that Jesus’ mission is always open and expansive? How do we treat others who are different from us? Can we be happy for others for the blessings they receive?
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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.