21 Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” 24 He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 28 Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. (Matt 15:21-28)
ENDING DIVISIONS
What we speak of as the “Holy Land” is an area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River, usually the term for the biblical Land of Israel and the region of Palestine. It is a territory that in the modern era corresponds to parts of different nations: the Israeli State, Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt. It is “holy” for the three great monotheistic religions: Jews, Christians, and Moslems. For us Christians, this is the Land where Jesus was born, where he walked and preached, where he performed miracles, where he suffered, died and rose again.
The sad irony about the Holy Land is that is has been, through the ages, a land of conflict. In fact, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has been an ongoing dispute between Israel and Palestinians, beginning in the mid-20th century. It is described as one of the world's most enduring conflicts, one that has lasted to this day.
At the time of Jesus, the time setting of the gospels, one that would persist even until the latter part of the first century A.D., this division between Jews and non-Jews already existed. It is thus interesting to note one important detail of today’s gospel reading, the place setting that is Tyre and Sidon. This is not a territory of the Jews because it is not part of the land of Israel, an area that may be considered “Gentile country.”
The conversation between Jesus and the Canaanite woman (a non-Jew) can thus be understood better. She begged Jesus to heal her daughter but she was ignored by the disciples. We are even surprised that Jesus had this mindset of “Israel first.” Was Jesus testing her? But the woman was persistent and her faith won the admiration of Jesus who pronounced the healing of her daughter. The mission of Jesus goes beyond the prejudices and divisions drawn by human beings.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What are the biases and prejudices that I see in today’s society? Where do I stand in front of these realities?
2. Am I working towards a culture that does not discriminate people?
Lord, may I be like you—a presence that heals divisions.
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