Woman, Great is Your Faith!

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. Matthew 15:21-28

The most wonderful and often most overlooked experiences in Jesus' ministry is his encounter with bold women. They correct and challenge the cultural and religious narrative. And a second most amazing thing, is the men who recorded the Gospels, handed down to us, left their stories in the scripture. They could have left these out, and it makes me wonder how many other women's stories were left out. But the inclusion of these women shifts the whole narrative of male dominance and female servitude. For the love of a child, this woman challenges Jesus and he calls her great of faith. We struggle today to loosen ourselves from the claws of colonialism and other powers. Our Gospel emboldens us all, to challenge the cultural and religious narratives that keep people from the love of God and justice in our time.

Wondrous Creator, you made us all equally beloved

given strength and power to each in our diversity

and call us to be faithful and to act always for justice.

The word is cold and the leaders abuse the poor and needy

we stand by and watch and refuse to speak truth to power

and we bind ourselves to the clutches of greed and power.

Oh Lord, give us voices and strength today and always

to be live this fierce mother demanding her child's healing

knowing that your love and justice are for all people. Amen.