“WOMAN, GREAT IS YOUR FAITH”

Homily for August 7^th. Matt. 15:21-28

          “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” the Gentile woman in today’s gospel calls out. “My daughter is tormented by a demon.” In Jesus’ day people thought illness of any kind, whether physical or mental, was the work of demons. Though not a member of Jesus’ own people, the woman addresses him with a Jewish title: “Son of David.”

          Jesus gives no response. His disciples are annoyed. “Send her away,” they demand. Jesus responds by giving the reason for his silence: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman refuses to give up. Bowing low in homage, she says: “Lord, help me.” Jesus’ response seems sharp: “It is not right to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs.”

          This begins a contest of wits: answering one saying with another. Such contests were common in Jesus’ day. “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Two things stand out in her words: the acknowledgement that, as a Gentile, she has no claim of Jesus; and her refusal to take no for an answer.

          This impresses Jesus and causes him to state what motivates her persistence: her faith. “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” This is one of a number of places in the gospels when Jesus admires in outsiders a faith he seeks in vain from his own people.

In the passage that we heard last week, in which Jesus’ own townspeople dismiss him as “the son of the carpenter,” the gospel writer tells us that “he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith” (Matt: 13:58). This Gentile woman had that faith. It is trusting faith that opens us up to the saving and healing power of God, as the sunshine opens up the petals of flowers to the life giving dew and rain. What better prayer could we offer in this Mass, then, than that of the man in Mark’s gospel who said to Jesus: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24).