Let It Be Done for You as You Wish

By Melanie Rigney

August 8, 2007

Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest

“Forty days you spent in scouting the land; forty years shall you suffer for your crimes: one year for each day. Thus you will realize what it means to oppose me.” (Numbers 14:34-35)

“Then (God) spoke of exterminating them, but Moses, his chosen one, withstood him in the breach to turn back his destructive wrath.” (Psalms 106:6-23)

“At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, ‘Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But the woman came and did him homage, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He said in reply, ‘It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.’ Then Jesus said to her in reply, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that hour.” (Matthew 15:21-28)

Piety

Jesus, help me to be patient but persistent as I ask you for help in my life. Let me be such a good friend to you that I can call out after you again and again for healing, and let me listen carefully for your answer.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/080807.shtml

I’ve become active in a lineage organization. At a regional meeting last weekend, we discussed the need to reach out to women who don’t look like many of the longtime members in the way they dress or the color of their skin or the type of car they drive if we are to return to our vibrant, service-oriented roots. We must embrace those who are different from us, hear their point of view and their desires for the group’s future.

I was reminded of that discussion as I pondered today’s readings, for Matthew is showing us a different Jesus than we usually see. The Canaanite woman asks for help for her tormented daughter, only to be rejected twice. Finally, the third time she entreats him, Jesus acknowledges her faith and heals her daughter.

This Jesus is focused on a mission, much as today’s first reading and psalm show a God tired of the children of Israel’s whining. In the Old Testament reading, the Israelites are punished for their grumbling. But in both the psalm and Gospel reading, there’s an element of discussion about a decision—not an argument, no screaming and shouting, but of reason. Moses’s words cause God to reconsider the extermination of the Israelites. Jesus heals the Canaanite woman’s daughter when her respectful counterarguments show the depth of her faith.

Focus and direction are good things, in organizations and in our lives. However, just as Jesus and God reconsidered decisions in today’s readings, so must we as Christians reflect on reasoned dissent and points of view. And, in turn, let us remember listen when Jesus and God wish to take us to a different place that our own focus and direction would go.

Action

Whom are you ignoring? Are you so focused on ministering to people in your own family or parish that you are missing calls for help from a neighbor or coworker? Someone different in economic status, ethnicity, religion, or race has been reaching out to you and you haven’t noticed. Identify that person, and be kind today. Ask about his or her health or day or trial. Listen to the answers. That alone may provide the healing that is so sorely needed.