A Disturbing Week

Matthew 15:21-28

The Canaanite Woman’s 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.

It has been a disturbing week.  At least, I have found it to be.  I would guess that last Saturday’s events in Charlottesville, VA and President Trump’s response has been on most of our minds this week.   They have been on mine.

I was thinking about all that when I read the appointed texts for this coming Sunday.  I have always found this week’s Gospel Lesson disturbing, and it seemed all the more so in light of Charlottesville. 

In this story Jesus seems so un-Jesus like!   His words and actions don’t square with pretty much everything else we know about his life and ministry!  Do you hear the discord?  The Canaanite woman comes and asks him for help and Jesus pretty much blows her off.   His response to her is so…  so…  exclusive!   “I have only come for the lost sheep of Israel!”  He says,  “Sorry, you’re not included.  No Canaanites allowed.”  Ouch!

I know, disturbing, right?

As disturbing as I find this story, I’m glad the Gospel writers didn’t edit it out.  Because, in this story, Jesus starts right where we humans all-too-often live (whether we admit it or not):  Suspicious and even derisive about the “other.”   Afraid and hostile to someone who is not like us.

Too often, even in our churches, it’s “No Canaanites Allowed.” 

But, as the story goes, this woman manages to break open Jesus’ heart.  He is moved by her faith and responds by extending healing to her and her daughter.  She is included.  She is cared for.  She is loved.  And I think that’s really the point.  That’s the lesson.  That’s why the Gospel writers kept this in the story and didn’t edit it out.

Like Jesus, our hearts need to be broken open by our encounters with the “other.”  With those who are different than we are.  With those who don’t look, think or act like we do.  If we are open to the encounter, if we truly strive to KNOW the other person, if we truly LISTEN – the other person can break our hearts open to the richness of God’s grace and mercy for us all.   And ultimately, to the common humanity that unites us despite our differences (a commonality that does not erase the differences, but helps us to appreciate and celebrate our diversity all the more.)

Neo-Nazis, the KKK, and other white supremacist groups are most to be pitied, because, for whatever reason, they have missed this and have instead succumbed to hate, and fear and violence.   To hate or exclude another person because of the color of their skin, or their religion, or their language or because of who they love is such an empty, life-less way to live.  And I am pretty sure it makes the Devil smile.

Like our sisters and brothers in Christ in Charlottesville last Saturday, we need to unequivocally stand up against all claims of white supremacism (or any other kind of supremacism for that matter), to all kinds of racism, and to anything that crushes another human being rather than building them up.   

I have to admit, I’m still learning and working on figuring out how to do that most effectively.  But, every morning when I say the Lord’s Prayer I pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN.”   I am pretty sure there isn’t going to be any racism in heaven, that the Canaanite woman will not be left out, and, before God’s throne one group is not going to be preferred over any other.  That’s the vision of the Kingdom, and I, we, all of us together, need to keep working at it.

And it is my prayer that God would make it so.

Peace,

Bishop Mike

Thank-you for reading.  Please pray for our nation, for our world, and for reconciliation and understanding to grow among us.