Yes, a day will come when the watchmen
will call out on Mount Ephraim:
“Rise up, let us go to Zion,
to the LORD, our God.”
The Canaanite woman in Saint Matthew's story is from the region of Tyre and Sidon, which was the ancient territory of Israel. By her living in the region she might hear the call, "Rise up, let us go to Zion (Jerusalem)! She has inherited the promise of restoration to Jerusalem.
And so, though she may not be instructed in the Jewish religion and has little expectation of a messiah, she belongs to the Lord nonetheless and has a claim on Jesus. A claim he seems to have forgotten until she demonstrates her "great faith."
This ambivalence about outsiders appears in the gospels and often in our discussions and dealings. We wonder, "Are they saved? Who are we to say they're not saved? Is it fair that God offers salvation to some and not to others?"
Historically, there have been dozens of formulas offered to solve this problem. I think of Calvinism and Armenianism. But none has been satisfactory.
The answer, however, is quite simple. It is not in what we say or think; there is no book answer to the question. it's what we do. It's our imitation of Christ who shows kindness to strangers and friends alike. In this story he recognizes and honors the great faith of the Canaanite woman.
As Christians announce the gospel we should not go as people who know something others do not. The gospel is not a "mystery religion" like those which were rife in the Roman Empire, although Saint Paul sometimes used their expressions to describe the faith. The elect are not those who know something; they are those sent by the Lord to announce, recognize, and celebrate the Kingdom of Heaven throughout the world.
God's kingdom is there in Tyre and Sidon before Jesus arrives. It is there in the Spirit which impels the woman to seek the Lord and demand a favor of him. That Spirit is courageous, hopeful, and expectant. It is the same spirit which drove Jesus from the Jordan River into the desert and back to Capernaum.
The Spirit in the Canaanite woman is like the negative electrical charge which elicits a positive spark. Jesus, recognizing it, responds with joy, generosity, and gratitude.
The Gospels offer this story to remind us of the necessity of prayer. I have heard some people declare, "God knows what I need and will give it, or not. There's no point to praying."
This woman of great faith, despite her being a foreigner, knows God better than these pretentious Christians. The Spirit has instructed her.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.