Reflection on the Gospel of the Wednesday In The Eighteenth Week In Ordinary Time
Matthew 15:21-28
This episode has been set within the ideology of ‘the intent that defiles‘
- First is the discussion of the Tradition of the Elders
- and Jesus points to them the double standards of those who speak of upholding them.
- He points the intent of self-service, in such people
- as opposed to the requirement of God-service and God Prioritisation, in every individual.
- Next is Jesus’ statement of what defiles
- Definitely, self-service does defile
- but much more is double standards
- and our insincerity
Now in this passage, Jesus tells us what pleases God
- It is knowing what your relationship with God should be
- that of Father and Child
- If we understand that we are his children, then we need to understand that he will always pay heed to our requests
- Sometimes the receiving may seem long
- But definitely God does answer our requests
- And if this is the fact, that God does answer our requests
- then there is cause to be confident
- and approach God repeatedly,
- even be thankful in advance
- and be assured that we will receive what we have asked for
- While preparing for this reflection
- I was reminded of the fate of the Canaanites in the Promised Land.
- Many were literally slaughtered, by the Israelites
- But they, i.e. the Canaanites were to blame also.
- They had heard the story of Israel’s Deliverance from Egypt, by Yahweh
- They had heard of the Red Sea tragedy
- They had heard about the Mount Sinai theophany
- And the Golden Calf debacle.
- And every conquest that the Israelites had enroute to the River Jordan.
- But they had seen with their own eyes the water of the Jordan stopping
- And the water allowing the Ark of God’s presence and the Israelite’s cross the Jordan through dry land
- Yet they should unbelief
- At the cost of their land and lives.
- Now here was Canaan, once again, through the desire and intent of this woman
- saying, Lord we believe, but help our unbelief
- like Jacob at the wrestling match saying,
- ‘Lord we will not let go, until you bless us too‘.
- In a way, this woman was anticipating Jesus’ mission
- of being a blessing unto the nations (Genesis 12:1-3)
- And also the grace of Jesus’ Mission handed to the Apostles in Matthew 28
- and the outpouring of God’s Spirit at Pentecost; for the benefit of all humanity.
- So what is it that is acceptable with God
- For us to love the Truth and be open to it
- Because this will help us see the Truth of God’s Fatherhood of us
- And if this is the truth we encounter
- then to pursue God with all our heart, mind and strength
- pursue him with our desire for Him.
Let us pray and ask God to open our minds, hearts and understanding. That we see His Fatherhood in our lives, and that we receive grace to follow Him, as his children.
