Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to Him and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
Was Jesus a racist? This gospel might scandalize some people to think Jesus as such. But it is not the case since Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Those were pagan territories. The Canaanites' presence in the land was a strong threat to the purity of Israel’s religion and morality. Jews treat living in those areas as unclean and they do not mingle with them. But Jesus went there to preach the gospel. He treat them as equals and tries to remove the barriers that separate them from the Jews. Besides, there were other instances in the gospel that Jesus spoke and relate to the pagans like what he did with the Samaritan woman, the Roman centurion and the possessed man in Gerasa.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! It is remarkable to understand the woman's faith because some priests and Jews who are actually the chosen people were not calling Jesus as 'Lord' or as the 'Son of David'. They treated him with contempt as a false Messiah. Later, they plotted against him and killed him. But this pagan woman expressed her faith.
"My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. The woman asked help not for herself but for her daughter. She expressed her faith which is more than the 'righteous people' in her time. But Jesus ignored her. So his disciples came to Him and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” The remark of the disciples shows the persistence of the woman in asking her request. However, there is a reason why. It is the heart of the mother that does everything for her child though it means begging for mercy. But it seems that Jesus doesn't show any sign of compassion or even pity.
There may be instances where God seems not to answer our prayers. But we usually give up. If we would be in the place of the woman, we might give up begging from Jesus. We might think: If you will not grant my request. So be it. I am tired of begging from you. I have traveled long and suffered humiliation and this is what you will reply? We might think ill of Jesus and even sacrifice the healing of our daughter for our 'honor'.
He answered, “I was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus replied and it seems that he is firm in not granting the woman's request. The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. But the woman is really persistent. But for the third time, Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” If for the third time, Jesus refused to grant your request, and even insulted you, how would you react? In those days, dogs were considered unclean. And to treat you with the same level as an unclean animal--- in Jewish culture, is a height of insult and degradation.
But with wit the woman replied: “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” The woman showed her humility. Truly, she and her daughter are dogs. They do not belong to the chosen people. But she believes that those 'crumbs' --- which are merely tiny leftovers from the table of God's chosen people but are still holding large amounts of God's grace. Those 'crumbs' can do a miracle for her daughter.
The woman showed her wisdom. She knows that she is indeed unworthy of his mercy. But a portion of Jesus' attention would be a great help. Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
We imitate the woman's faith when we still persist to pray though our prayers are not answered. We capture the heart of God when we still believe although it seems illogical in human logic. We are invited by Christ to see everything in faith. And it is only possible with humility---- seeing and acknowledging your lowliness and trusting in the mercy of God that knows no bounds.
St. Joan of Arc must feel forsaken by God when after winning battles in the name of God, she was captured and was sold to the English. The king whom he helped to win his crown haven't helped her. And the Church has also been part in conducting trials to prove her association with witchcraft. Seeing how some Church's authorities judged her, she must be undergoing a very difficult trial of faith. The Church even refused to hear her last confession and give her Holy Communion. But she remained faithful to the end and she became a saint.
Blessed Aniela was few times refused confession by her spiritual director. And one time, she was refused publicly. But she trusted in God's mercy and remained faithful and now she is hailed as Blessed. It is said that even if Jesus will appear to you saying that he will refuse you mercy, you are not allowed to believe. For God is a loving God and his mercy has no bounds.
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