Many people find today's Gospel of Jesus meeting the Canaanite Woman rather stunning—talk of crumbs falling from the table for the dogs to eat just does not sound right! As always, I remember the teaching of one of scripture teachers, Dr Megan McKenna: she always urged us to take our Sunday readings in context. This reading, from Matthew's Gospel, comes after Jesus had fed a huge crowd of '5000 men—not counting the women and children' (Matt 14:21). As we heard last week, Jesus then goes on to walk on the stormy Sea of Galilee offering comfort to the frightened Peter and his friends. His message to them, and to us facing our own trials and storms, is so simple and timeless: 'do not be afraid' (Matt 14:27).

Prior to today's Gospel, the Pharisees, who are the upholders of Jewish Law and Traditions, are in yet another debate with Jesus about it ignoring traditional practices, but especially rejecting the commandments. Jesus sees through their hypocrisy quoting Isaiah to make his point: we are called to honour God with our hearts, not just empty words, and practices. If we are not careful, we can concentrate on external practices such as washing our hands in certain religious ways, forgetting what our internal life is like: washing hands will not get rid of using vicious and cruel language!

As we are well aware, Matthew writes his Gospel for a Jewish community: Jesus is seen as the Messiah and the fulfilment of Hebrew scripture. However, as we have just seen, Jesus stands in the line of the true prophets of Israel. He is not afraid to challenge the rulers and teachers, especially when they fail to help others in their journey towards God. Matthew sees that Jesus has come to the Chosen People and bring them to the fullness of salvation. It is in this context of being faithful to the Jewish Law that we meet the foreign woman.

In the Feeding of the 5000, Matthew indicates that the women and children are not counted—they are on the periphery and are not seen as important. Thus, the encounter with the Canaanite Women is very important—in the social order of the day, this woman is doubly handicapped as both a woman and a foreigner!

This woman sees, in Jesus, something very special. However, she is not selfish, she wants help for her sick child. As a mother, her child is all important, as Cassandra Care reminds us in 'City of Ashes':

The love a parent has for a child, there's nothing else like it. No other love so consuming.

This unnamed woman will do all in her power to ensure that her child receives the miracle she needs. She will shout after the disciples, impervious to their discomfort and embarrassment. She is single-minded in her care for her child. In her conversation with Jesus we actually see a mutual respect—it is a simple chat among equals. There is a danger in thinking that God parcels out his love for special people. I remember growing up and being reminded regularly that God could only love Catholics! The love of God is unconditional, especially for those on the margins: like the women, children, and foreigners. God wants a house of prayer open to all the nations. Christians need to remember it too: God wills ALL human beings to be saved; in the Father's house there are many mansions. True Jewish teaching and prophecy is open to the goodness of everyone—the rich history of the Jews saw them uprooted and being forced to live in exile. This woman can rightly claim to share in the richness of the Heavenly Banquet, especially if it is going to cure her daughter.

Our sharing Word and Eucharist today, helps us all to see the beauty of God in all we meet this week—no matter where they come from. At hospital this week, I was privileged to talk with Anwar. He told me his story of needing to flee Afghanistan: as a military translator, he was top of the Taliban hit list. After a long and complicated journey, he came to England in a small boat. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? As a qualified engineer, trying to work on his PhD, the only employment he can get was as an Uber driver! I saw that wonderful encounter as a counterbalance to the negativity that we are constantly bombarded with in most of the media. I discovered that refugees are not just statistics—they have a real backstory that we need to appreciate. Thank you, Anwar, especially for your dedicated service to the UK military. It is because of this service that you had to give up so much, a flee here. In the encounter with the Canaanite Woman, we are reminded that the circle of God is ever expanding. This woman teaches us all so much: with determination and humour, she brings her child and family into that circle. At the end of Matthew's Gospel there is an injunction to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and far beyond the territory and religious practice of Israel:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Mat 28: 19-20)

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by M.T ElGassier on Unsplash