“Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” What a bold and powerful statement the Canaanite woman made to Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) as she sought His healing power for her daughter, who was tormented by a demon. Jesus recognized her humility, persistence, and firm faith—qualities that many of His own people lacked. Consequently, she received her wish: her daughter was healed.
This foreign woman became an exemplary figure for Jesus’ disciples, who were irritated by her cries for help. She was undeterred by the negative perceptions others held of her as a Gentile and a woman. Instead, she persisted in pleading for Jesus’ compassion, demonstrating her unwavering belief in Him.
We, too, must never give up on believing in God’s power and assistance when faced with challenges such as illness or financial difficulties. While we may sometimes feel discouraged or doubt our faith, we must resist these feelings and continue to pray, affirming our belief in God.
Friends, God sees our strong faith and our love for Him. Let us not be dismayed when we feel that He is not answering our prayers. In His time and in His way, He will respond to our petitions.
We must encourage one another to keep trusting in Him, believing that He will perform wonders and fulfill His great promises for each of us. We are called to be His voice of acceptance, encouragement, and love in a world filled with disbelief and arrogance. As Christians, we must continue to profess our belief in Jesus’ power over our lives, sickness, and death.
Our children, family members, friends, and neighbors need to witness our persistent faith. At times, we may not be aware of the impact we have on their lives as they observe us demonstrate our beliefs. However, in time, we will come to understand how we have inspired them on their own journeys of faith.
Another virtue that struck me about the Canaanite woman is her courage. She confronted an unwelcoming world and was untramelled by what others thought of her. Her profound love and care for her daughter empowered her to face the discrimination and exclusivity of her time. She was willing to do anything to seek healing for her daughter.
We need the courageous spirit of this woman—the courage to rise each day and face the challenges ahead, to confront a world that continues to suffer from war and conflict, and to live in a society where corruption, inequality, and injustice seem never-ending. We need the courage to hope for a better future for our children, our country, and all nations.
Blessings!
In Christ’s love,
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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