Matthew 15: 21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Who Receives Salvation?
One of things many grieving people have expressed is that grief keeps its own schedule. One never knows when that profound sense of sadness and loss will arrive. Well, just like we cannot anticipate when grief will arrive, we likewise cannot anticipate salvation. We might have clues about who can be saved or how it is going to happen. But ultimately God decides the time and the manner in which people are saved.
Today’s Gospel is a great illustration of this. The woman healed, in the eyes of the Jewish readers of Matthew’s Gospel, has no business being healed. In fact, Jesus himself is not even considering it. Yet, the persistence of the woman convinces Jesus that she, a Canaanite woman, a woman who has no business being saved, will receive God’s healing touch.
—Fr. Paul J. Shelton, SJ, is the provincial assistant for vocations for the Midwest Jesuits. If you are interested in becoming a Jesuit, or know someone who might be a good Jesuit, visit beajesuit.org.
Prayer
Intention for Healing: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world, especially for mercy and healing upon [Name].
—Divine Mercy Chaplet Intention