I’ve got to tell you that I have always struggled with this gospel, because Jesus doesn’t come across very Christ-like. I have studied many commentaries on the text and writers have tried to spin the story into how Jesus was trying to teach the disciples a lesson. Or that his intention, all along, was to open wide salvation for all people, etc., etc.
But the text as written has Jesus treating the woman harshly
1. He ignores her; he doesn’t even say a word to her
2. When the disciples plead with him to send her away because she is shouting at them, Jesus
answers very rudely, “I was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
3. Finally when the woman kneels in front of him, he addresses her in a very offensive way,
“It’s not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’
Ouch. So unlike the Jesus we usually hear about. So not only is it amazing that Jesus said those things, but that they were recorded down in Matthew’s gospel, but that it was chosen to be proclaimed on this, the 20th Sunday of the Church year.
The best that I can come up with is that it shows that Jesus improved, he changed, he grew. For Jesus is truly fully divine and fully human as we profess but maybe that means that just as Jesus was open to grow and to learn . . . so can we.
I am always amused when people get upset when politicians change their minds. Whoa, isn’t the purpose of life to grow? That is, to take in new understanding, new information and respond accordingly. I would hate to think that any of us have to be “locked into” the words and ideas that we presented in our younger years. When a politician grows . . . that’s great.
I know that such growth has been part of my priesthood. And I tell people that I am still growing, still learning. For example, some years ago, when I first came to this area I was intent on having people pray the Lord’s Prayer during Mass going directly into the Doxology. That is the “for thine is the kingdom, power, etc.” My reasoning was that that ending would probably have been how Jesus prayed the prayer, for no Jewish man would end a prayer with the word “evil” and the doxology was so common, it wasn’t even written down. And we say it anyway in the Mass; it’s just that we have what is called an “embolism” between the Lord’s Prayer and the Doxology. And all of our Protestant churches go right into so many of our non-Mass settings already use (like an ecumenical prayer service, or the bible study, or the prayer before the game),
And that’s the way we did it at my last parish so I wanted to share “goodness” here.
Anyway, as some of you recall. It did not go over very well. There was lots of gossiping, and complaints (to other people), but I kept pushing through. Finally, one of the pillars of our community took me aside for a friendly conversation and asked me “Why?” “Why are you doing this?” (Note to any of you in conflict with someone . . . be curious, not furious). So I was asked the question in a friendly, non-threatening manner and I responded, “Oh I am trying to bring our people closer together by having them pray the prayer as our Protestant cousins do.”
“Oh,” she answered, “well it’s not working. It’s dividing us.” “ Oh,” I responded . . . so I stopped using it in the Mass (except when there’s many Protestants present like at a funeral) and I still encourage you all adding that doxology when you pray the Lord’s Prayer outside of Mass . . . because it’s such a beautiful ending to a beautiful prayer.
But the point is . . . I changed. I learned. I grew. So did Jesus. So can you. Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” We all can and should grow. But that doesn’t mean that you can clobber someone over the head with your wisdom and go point out the false ideas others have.
But instead, like that wise Parishioner did with be . . . be curious, not furious. Ask questions, seek to understand. And for all of you. . , DON’T rely on one or two web pages to base your entire frame of thinking. Consults other sources. If you have a medical issue, talk with a medical person. If you read something that seems “too good to be true” you’re probably right.
You know, last Sunday we had our annual golf tournament to raise money to help people in our area who are seeking financial assistance. We raised over $6,500. Anyway, I got to golf with many teams at the 10th Hole, until I had to leave for another pre-scheduled event. The tourney was a scramble and we played the best ball with each shot. And I’m a terrible golfer. I just golf once a year, at this tournament. So I just get up there and hack away at the golf ball.
But during the tourney, I got to watch some real good golfers. And with each shot, they concentrated. They approached the shot with real focus and calmness. And isn’t that something we could all learn? . . . Whatever you have coming up this week: focus, be present to what you need to do (or say), take your time, give it your best shot, follow through . . . and smile, have fun. Be open to all that God has yet to teach you.