St. Matthew 15: 21-31 narrates the story of the Canaanite woman who begs for mercy and the healing of her daughter who is severely possessed by a demon. The disciples are a shade irritated and request Jesus to send her away. In verse 25 she requests Jesus to help her. This then starts off an intense conversation between the Canaanite woman and Jesus. In verse 26 Jesus says, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” At first instance Jesus appears cruel and non-empathetic.
But he is perhaps only trying to say what society would do and speak. Jesus also could not speak openly about certain things as that would lead to reactions from those who were looking to do away with him. Jesus is in all probability trying to showcase the problems which prevailed in the society of the time. Every community stood for itself and survival was the survival of each one, their own and their community. Anything which was out of this circle, was not a concern.
Jesus succeeds in bringing out the malice existing in society. The disciples are rattled by the woman’s presence and want her out. Jesus then challenges the woman and asks her why he should help her? Why should he go out of the way to help someone outside his community? He initiated a dialogue and debate with the Canaanite woman. Perhaps he thought that the woman would back off by herself, thereby making his disciples happy, or this would not call for his intervention at the time because he didn’t have time for it. There were many others in queue. But the woman’s reply sets the tone for the discourse and for justice for her daughter.
In verse 27 she says, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” This is a strong statement from the woman. It can be seen in multiple ways. She is showing so much courage that it could also be seen as a rebellion against Jesus. It could also be that she is so desperate, that the desperation makes her speak boldly. The dialogue between Jesus and the Canaanite woman even though short is very strong. Jesus points to the disparity and inequality of the world. The woman agrees to that but still says that people like her should survive by whatever means.
We live in a world which goes by the “survival of the fittest” belief. Those with money, power and authority take it for granted that they have the right to live, consume and survive over and against other people. Grabbing and not sharing is what they usually do. They also think that sharing is a weakness and since they are strong, that is not natural for them. So, poverty and hunger are not concerns for the rich. The defiance of the woman is a bold stand that she takes to claim her rights and the rights of her daughter. It should not be seen as pride or opposing Jesus but taking the cue of Jesus to say exactly what he wanted to hear.
We are also called to do this. Lent should not just be a time to keep quiet, a time to please others and a time to follow status quo. Rather, it should be a time to question, to demand and to be defiant. Amen.
(Picture credit- Artwork: “The One with the Crumby Dog” by Ally Barrett.)
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