The Canaanite Woman's Faith

A sermon written for Homiletics Practicum I on the story of the Canaanite woman.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Today’s Gospel speaks to us about faith, perseverance and humility. Although Christ performs a miracle, that “action” is off-stage. Here a gentile woman takes center stage as she begs a favor from Christ. He then rebukes her in some of the most insulting language we ever hear from Christ. The Canaanite woman had no reason to expect a favor from Christ. He was a Jew, she was a Gentile. He was a man, she was a woman. There was hardly a reason for them to be speaking, much less calling for favor

But, why did He speak to her this way? He called her a dog!

It was not an empty insult. This strong rejection forced her to reveal the extent of her faith, and she does. She presses the issue, she begs, knowing her place in relation to the master. She demands nothing, but hopes.

           

And, although Christ ultimately effects the healing, it is the woman’s faith and humility which made it possible. It is apropos that Canaan means “Prepared by humility”

How often in our lives do we ask God for something concrete? When we are desperate,  when the medicine doesn’t work, when the jobs aren’t there, when the bills are too much.

           

Do we continue to press on in prayer? Or are one Sunday’s liturgy and a candle enough? So often we say a fleeting prayer then continue on worrying and fretting over our troubles, doubting God’s providence instead of hoping in His goodness. Counting on our connections in place of recounting our blessings, placing all our hope in sons of men in whom there is no salvation.

Elsewhere Matthew we are told to “Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find” And again in Luke after Christ recites the “Lord’s Prayer”, He immediately gives his disciples a lesson on perseverance in prayer. Ask and keep asking! Seek and keep seeking!

           

Will God always grant us our requests? To be perfectly frank… No… but our requests do not always reflect our true needs. If we truly persevere in faith and prayer our needs will be met.

                       

God himself sustains the faithful, and with faith only the size of a mustard seed children can be healed, needs can be met, and mountains can be moved. Amen.