9 February 2023 – Mark 7:24-30
Having challenged some of the religious principles of the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus now specifically goes into Gentile territory. The next three stories take place in non-Jewish areas. Why did Jesus go to the city of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast? It may have been to give him some respite from the crowds pressing in on him everywhere. He then moved on to Sidon and then eastwards across the Sea of Galilee to the area known as the Decapolis (Ten Cities). All these places were dominated by the Gentiles. As the people there recognised his healing powers, he also ministered to them.
This woman was Greek, i.e. polytheistic and therefore pagan; moreover, she was of Syro-Phoenician origin, far removed from Judaic culture. And how does she approach Jesus? Jesus says to her: “Let the children be fed first; it is not good to take the bread of the
children and throw it to the little dogs”. Surprising is the response of this woman: ‘Yes, Lord, but even the little dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs’ (the Jews used to call the pagans ‘dogs’).
Certainly this woman was enlightened; in fact, as soon as she knew of Jesus’ presence where she too lived, she went to seek him out and threw herself at his feet: this is always the attitude that precedes any request for deliverance, it is the attitude of one who is certain that Jesus is the son of God. Throwing herself at his feet is the act by which the woman declares in gesture: ‘I am in the presence of God’. But how can that woman be so certain of Jesus’ true nature? The woman was Greek of Syro-Phoenician origin, in essence she was a pagan! Paul went to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, for they accepted him, while the Jews rejected him: ‘On hearing this, the Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were destined for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region. But the Jews stirred up the pious women of the nobility and the notables of the city and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their territory”.
(Acts 13:48-50).
Two houses are intertwined in this Gospel: this woman leaves her home, where sorrow reigns, to go to the house where Jesus is. The house of affection and the house of faith. Thanks to the woman’s faith, the house of home finds joy again. If God dwells in our home, he gives the strength to overcome evil. The Gospel page speaks of a physical evil, but there are so many other infirmities that threaten daily life, starting with that marital conflict that weighs down life’s journey in no small measure. Jesus is able to overcome the evil that lurks in the furrows of existence. He came for this. But not everyone knows this and few turn to Him. “Come to the foot of this altar”, Our Lady said to Catherine Labouré. And that is what we want to do today with the same confidence as the Canaanite woman.
For good workers…
– To believe is not to trust the feeling of being dogs before Him, but to know how to stay and ask with confidence despite feelings to the contrary.
– His powerful faith is immediately rewarded and his daughter is healed. It is a story that anticipates the faith of future Gentiles who will become Christians. Let us pray that such faith will also be ours. We know that Jesus excludes absolutely no one from his mercy and healing power. Both as individuals and as a community, may we also be as inclusive as possible in our relationships.
P JOBY KAVUNGAL RCJ