First of all, in today’s Gospel, Jesus shouldn’t be interpreted as being short, dismissive or rude with the Canaanite woman. Sure, when I’m tired or stressed, I can get a little irritable and possibly do or say things I later regret; no one likes having their limits exposed. But Jesus doesn’t suffer from those kinds of failings. Like any of us, maybe Jesus was tired after a long day of ministering to others and teaching the disciples, but regardless of his human nature, he always responds to his people with love. His words to the Canaanite woman aren’t to put her down but to teach us something about who God came for and who he works through.
Many years ago, I was helping out at another Church for Christmas Eve. Though the weather was poor, the Church was, thankfully, still very full. Just before the Mass began, one individual, looking obviously frustrated from having to park far from the church and battle the weather between the car and the doors of the church, began suggesting that regular parishioners should somehow have reserved parking spots. To them it seemed unfair to have to park blocks away while many who come to worship only a couple of times a year got the best spots. They were expressing a feeling, probably a fleeting thought, that in some way their faith, which led them to participate in the Mass frequently, should somehow entitle them to special consideration above those who weren’t seen at church as frequently.
Developing the good habit of coming here, putting in the effort to nurture faith and live out our Baptism: it’s hard work when there are so many pressures on our limited time, energy and resources. Even our faith has limits as does our understanding of God and his ways. We work hard to be disciples and it’s easy to believe that God comes to us first and there is a lot of truth to that; we’re a blessed people because of our faith. But that sentiment can fuel temptations to turn inwards too, to become dismissive of those who, for whatever reason, have not developed many of the good faith habits that lead us here and bring many of us great comfort.
It’s a temptation that’s not at all new. During Jesus’ ministry, questions arose about who it is the Saviour came to save, who he was calling to belong to the new Kingdom he was founding. For those Jewish people who recognized Jesus as the Messiah it was clear: they were the chosen people. It was the Jewish people who God first spoke to in their father Abraham. It was the Hebrews who God miraculously led out of slavery to the Egyptians through great signs of power, for who the Red Sea was divided and to who the Word and law of God was delivered through figures like Moses and the prophets.
As for the Canaanite woman who seemed to be harassing Jesus at the beginning of today’s Gospel: well, she belonged essentially to a conquered and displaced people. The Canaanites had their own cultures, customs and pagan religions. They lived in the promised land before the Jewish people arrived after their wanderings through the wilderness. In some cases, conflict arose between the arriving Jewish settlers and the Canaanites who were eventually conquered. In other cases, the Canaanites were displaced and in still other cases they were simply assimilated.
The Jewish people knew they were the chosen people because of how God had guided them to the promised land. As for the Canaanites: to many it seemed as though God had no real use for those conquered and displaced pagans and this sentiment tempted the disciples to urge Jesus to send the Canaanite woman away; she was simply a nuisance.
Without question, God works through disciples, but he’s not limited to his disciples. The Canaanite woman may not have received the teaching the disciples had; she may not have followed Jesus so closely as they or shared their faith. But by dismissing the woman, the disciples were also dismissing the possibility of God working through her or in her heart, nearly missing opportunities to witness miracles and give God praise. Despite coming from a different place and faith, something prompted the woman to seek Jesus out. At least the seed of faith had been planted within.
Yes, we praise God for the many ways he works through disciples. We honour him by venerating his saints. Disciples know we’re his instruments in proclaiming the Good News and thank him for inviting us to share in that work. But we also praise God for working in unexpected places too. When parents, especially those we may not see so often, present a child for Sacraments, we praise God for planting the seed of faith in their hearts. When our church is uncomfortably full for whatever reason, we give glory to God for drawing people here. When someone is frustrating or seems a nuisance, as the Canaanite woman seemed, disciples recognize the opportunity to practice for Heaven. God works through his disciples, no question, but miracles are seen whenever God is seen at work even in unexpected people and ways.
God of all creation, you not only give us life but give us purpose. Through the mysteries of this Mass, form us into true disciples. Through the sacrifices offered here, grant us the gift of salvation and through our Communion, unite us to your Son who strengthens our faith, leads us to your Kingdom and sends us out to go and make disciples of all. We offer all our prayers in his name. Amen.
