The Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 15: Year A
“She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15: 27 and 28)
Prior to this incident (and part of our Gospel Reading for today) Jesus had just explained about what defiles a person. He said it is not what goes into a person (certain foods considered unclean) but rather, it is what comes out of a person, sinful acts and words that defile a person. I know for myself, when I have said or done something revengeful or retaliatory, I feel sad about it. I am still a work in progress. Pray for me please.
And then, we have this Canaanite woman with words of requests for her daughter’s cure coming out of her mouth. This is intercessory prayer. What comes out of this mother’s mouth is the love she has for her daughter. This is coming to our Lord Jesus, whom she did not know, but whom she needed very much. This is about Jesus himself learning truly who he is. (this part of the Gospel according to Matthew is only concerned with the people of Israel.) But here we are shown the world-wide intention of God’s Salvation. God loves, and wants all people to be saved.
The very nature of God is inclusiveness, all people; period. I know that all people are not baptized. But we, who follow our Lord Jesus, continue to insist on this soul saving practice of grace. There is no exclusion from the love of God. Canaanite or Israelite, black or white, rich or poor, democrat or republican, boy or girl, bald or with curls, Jesus loves the little children of the world. All are precious in his sight.
This is again, another example where Jesus informs us about the faith that is already in us; the faith of the mother was the source of her daughter’s healing. It is what came out of her that defines her. So it is with us today. But we must first believe.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: Proper 15, The Sunday closest to August 17 (BCP p. 232)
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 