Todays Meditation: Do you ever feel put-off or ignored by the Lord? This passage (Matthew 15:21) describes the only occasion in which Jesus ministered outside of Jewish territory. (Tyre and Sidon were fifty miles north of Israel and still exist today in modern Lebanon.) A Gentile woman, a foreigner who was not a member of the Jewish people, puts Jesus on the spot by pleading for his help. At first Jesus seemed to pay no attention to her, and this made his disciples feel embarrassed. Jesus does this to test the woman to awaken faith in her. Jesus first tests the womans faith What did Jesus mean by the expression throwing bread to the dogs? The Jews often spoke of the Gentiles with arrogance and insolence as unclean dogs since the Gentiles did not follow Gods law and were excluded from Gods covenant and favor with the people of Israel. For the Greeks the dog was a symbol of dishonor and was used to describe a shameless and audacious woman. There is another reference to dogs in Matthews Gospel where Jesus says to his disciples, Do not give to dogs what is holy (Matthew 7:6). Jesus tests this womans faith to see if she is earnest in receiving holy things from the hand of a holy God. Jesus, no doubt, spoke with a smile rather than with an insult because this woman immediately responds with wit and faith - even the dogs eat the crumbs. Seek the Lord Jesus with expectant faith Jesus praises a Gentile woman for her faith and for her love. She made the misery of her child her own and she was willing to suffer rebuff in order to obtain healing for her loved one. She also had indomitable persistence. Her faith grew in contact with the person of Jesus. She began with a request and she ended on her knees in worshipful prayer to the living God. No one who ever sought Jesus with earnest faith - whether Jew or Gentile - was refused his help. Do you seek the Lord Jesus with expectant faith? Lord Jesus, your love and mercy knows no bounds. May I trust you always and pursue you with indomitable persistence as this woman did. Increase my faith in your saving power and deliver me for all evil and harm. WHAT IS JESUS TEACHING US TODAY? Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Matthew 15:21 Lets look at todays Gospel passage of a politically incorrect interaction from the viewpoint of discipleship. Jesus took his disciples into Tyre and Sidon, a pagan, Gentile stronghold. Jesus wanted to retreat far away from Jewish territory and spend undisturbed time with His disciples, teaching them in a retreat. In all contexts, Jesus was always teaching His disciples. How did Jesus teach the disciples in this interaction? Jesus ignores the Gentile woman (Mt 15:23). The disciples, and all Jews, had ignored Gentiles their entire lives, and Jesus illustrated their behavior back to them. Next, the disciples told Jesus to send the woman away (Mt 15:23). Again, Jesus teaches His disciples, by not sending her away. Disciples are supposed to bring people to Jesus, not send them away. Third, Jesus refers to the woman, and all Gentiles, as dogs (Mt 15:26). He is showing the disciples how callously they have been treating Gentiles their entire lives. Finally, Jesus teaches His disciples the great lesson that Gentiles also hunger for Gods love and healing, as do the Jews. Jesus treated the woman as the disciples had been treating her. Then He treated her as God wanted and healed her daughter (Mt 15:28). The disciples got the message, for Peter later baptized many Gentiles (Acts 10:48). Will we get the message? Are we lovingly bringing people to Jesus or rudely sending them away? Prayer: Jesus, when You hold a mirror in front of me, may I see the reality of my life, repent, and live as Your faithful servant. Promise: Gods gifts and His call are irrevocable. Rm 11:29 Praise: Praise You, risen Lord Jesus, Teacher, Master, and Lord! Glory and praise to You forever and ever! (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 19, 2014. The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 07:12:03 +0000
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