20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

THE CANAANITE WOMAN (Matthew 15:21-28)

Tyre and Sidon
It is situated north of Israel. It still exists in modern-day Lebanon. This is the only time in Matthew when Jesus brings his ministry into Gentile territory.

Canaanite Woman
Instead of using the contemporary "Syrophoenician" as Mark does, Matthew uses the ancient term Canaanite. Is it an allusion to Rahab mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus? Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the King (Mt 1:5-6). Rahab was the Canaanite woman who hid the spies sent by Joshua.

Son of David
Why is the woman who seeks healing from Jesus address him as Son of David? In the Judaism of NT times, Solomon was regarded as a healer, too. And Solomon was a son of David.

But Jesus did not say a word to her.
The mission of the historical Jesus is to gather Israel for the end-time events. Nevertheless, the healing of the Centurion's slave and the healing of this woman's daughter were glimpses of the later opening up of the mission to all nations. At his ascension Jesus gave this great commission to his disciples: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of ALL nations."

"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
Jesus ignores her but she doesn't give up. Her love for her child will not make her give up.

"It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."
The children were the Jews. Dogs and pigs were the Jewish terms of contempt for Gentiles (non-Jews). Jesus must have these words with a smile on his lips. In other words, there was no insult intended.

"Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."
Touche. The woman was not only persistent. She was also witty. She uses Jesus own words to her advantage, to gain healing for her daughter.

"O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish."
In Matthew she was the only one about whom Jesus remarked as having great faith. But even in the healing of the Centurion's slave, Jesus marvelled at the faith shown by the man ("In no one in Israel have I found such faith.") It is significant that neither the woman nor the Centurion was a Jew. Both were Gentiles.

THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

No. 1.

God always hears our prayers. Sometimes his answer is "yes". At other times his answer is "no". Still at other times his answer is "wait".

No. 2
If I answer your prayer at once
it is because I'm testing your faith

If I answer your prayer later
it is because I'm testing your patience

If I don't answer your prayer
it is because I have something better planned for you.