August 8, 2018

Gospel: Mt 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from the area, came and cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word. So his disciples approached him and said, “Send her away! See how she is shouting after us.” Then Jesus said to her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.” But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus, and said, “Sir, help me!” Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies.” The woman replied, “That is true, sir, but even puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said, “Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Reflections
Woman, how great is your faith! Jesus initially understood his mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God and ministry of healing as confined to Israel. His encounter with the Syro-Phoenician mother whose daughter was possessed, expanded his understanding of his mission and ministry to include non-Jews. Was the eternal Word in human form omniscient and omnipotent? Or having embraced our human condition, did Jesus’ self-consciousness develop? Did his understanding of his identity and vocation evolve? That Jesus may have also have had to discern his mission in life is consoling for us who constantly grapple with God’s will for us and our role in the world.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018