20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 20/8/2023 - Gospel: Mt 15: 21-28
Exploration
Jesus and his disciples entered the regions of Tyre and Sidon. For them, the customs and cultures of the area are unfamiliar. In his homeland, Jesus already has experienced several traps and tricks plotted by his opponents- Scribes and Pharisees. Entering onto unfamiliar ground, a woman came to meet him asking for a miracle. She was very persistent in her request. It is reasonable that this raised the alarm for Jesus: whether the request was a genuine or was it a trap designed to cause trouble. Jesus refused to get involved, ignoring her request for help. His disciples pleaded with him to help her, not because they loved the woman, but because they actually want to avoid the nuisance of her yelling at them.
Jesus replied not to the woman, but instead, he speaks to his disciples, that his first priority saving mission is for the lost sheep of the House of Israel. This statement is an exploratory question. If the woman was one of the lost sheep of the House of Israel, she would have said so. Her quiet response implied she was not one of them. Hearing what Jesus said to the apostles, the woman didn't go away, but instead, she came closer to Jesus, and this time she was on her knees. She also changed both her language and tone. Before she addressed Jesus as 'Sir, Son of David, take pity on me'. She now addressed him 'Lord, help me'. This time Jesus talked to her. 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the house- dogs'.
Addressing a person as a house dog is a great insult. We may think Jesus' response is rude and the woman should get even. Surprisingly, the woman takes it in a calm manner. She didn't get angry but came closer. Children's food and a house dog both belong to the same family. The woman didn't think that the statement implied directly to her, but rather, was a generality. Further, the word 'dog' doesn't apply to her because this woman is not the lost sheep of the House of Israel. It probably also implies that the dog bonds to its master, and the woman shows, Jesus has a special place in her heart.
Someone explains that, at that time, the term 'dogs' implies all Gentiles. If that was the case, then Jesus' remark would be understood as another exploratory remark. Jesus wants the woman to reveal her background and that she actually is a gentile. Her response reveals three important points. First, she is not a lost sheep of the House of Israel. Second her request is not a trap, but she is genuine in her pleading. Third, and most importantly, she has a solid faith in Jesus. We are very sure of this because she firmly believes in Jesus' word. Jesus didn't do anything significant or perform a miracle on the spot. He simply told her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted'. She believed in his word; and went home happy and indeed, when she reached home, the good news was: Her daughter is indeed well, and healthy.
The woman shows she loves her daughter dearly and would go an extra mile to save her daughter. The story also confirms that Jesus' ministry is for everyone who genuinely loves and has faith in him, and the Gentiles are included. It also affirms that we can pray on others' behalf. In this case, it is the mother who prays for her daughter who was sick.
We are encouraged to pray for others and the need of the world.
Jesus replied not to the woman, but instead, he speaks to his disciples, that his first priority saving mission is for the lost sheep of the House of Israel. This statement is an exploratory question. If the woman was one of the lost sheep of the House of Israel, she would have said so. Her quiet response implied she was not one of them. Hearing what Jesus said to the apostles, the woman didn't go away, but instead, she came closer to Jesus, and this time she was on her knees. She also changed both her language and tone. Before she addressed Jesus as 'Sir, Son of David, take pity on me'. She now addressed him 'Lord, help me'. This time Jesus talked to her. 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the house- dogs'.
Addressing a person as a house dog is a great insult. We may think Jesus' response is rude and the woman should get even. Surprisingly, the woman takes it in a calm manner. She didn't get angry but came closer. Children's food and a house dog both belong to the same family. The woman didn't think that the statement implied directly to her, but rather, was a generality. Further, the word 'dog' doesn't apply to her because this woman is not the lost sheep of the House of Israel. It probably also implies that the dog bonds to its master, and the woman shows, Jesus has a special place in her heart.
Someone explains that, at that time, the term 'dogs' implies all Gentiles. If that was the case, then Jesus' remark would be understood as another exploratory remark. Jesus wants the woman to reveal her background and that she actually is a gentile. Her response reveals three important points. First, she is not a lost sheep of the House of Israel. Second her request is not a trap, but she is genuine in her pleading. Third, and most importantly, she has a solid faith in Jesus. We are very sure of this because she firmly believes in Jesus' word. Jesus didn't do anything significant or perform a miracle on the spot. He simply told her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted'. She believed in his word; and went home happy and indeed, when she reached home, the good news was: Her daughter is indeed well, and healthy.
The woman shows she loves her daughter dearly and would go an extra mile to save her daughter. The story also confirms that Jesus' ministry is for everyone who genuinely loves and has faith in him, and the Gentiles are included. It also affirms that we can pray on others' behalf. In this case, it is the mother who prays for her daughter who was sick.
We are encouraged to pray for others and the need of the world.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
