Sunday, February 13, 2005 Tone 4
The Sunday of the Canaanite Woman
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 5:1-12 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 Gospel: St. Matthew 15:21-28
St. Matthew 15:21-28, especially vs. 25: "Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, help
me!'" How many prayers offered up to God seem to fall upon deaf ears! People ask, exactly like the "woman of Canaan"
(vs. 22), and nothing happens. Who has not had the experience? One makes a petition, and there is no result, nothing, as if
God chooses to remain aloof; there is no hint that God has heard anything. All that one receives for praying is silence, not
even "a word" (vs. 23) of discouragement, refusal, or an order to wait.
When this happens to us, Beloved of the Lord, let us return to this portion of the Gospel, meditate on it once again and
learn from the Lord how to petition Him on His terms. It is fair to say that in this instance of a mother crying in prayer, one
in which God first appears to "turn a deaf ear," He is, in fact, giving a detailed, step-by-step instruction in how to pray so
that one's petition is answered. After all, the Lord did answer that which was desired at the beginning. Let us note that the
Lord here revealed Himself entirely faithful to His promise: "whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son" (Jn. 14:13).
We may learn from this transaction between the One Whom we call our "compassionate God" and the other whom we
observe praying to Him, but mostly we should learn to direct our attention to that which He achieved within this mother
during the exchange. He was leading her to a new, fruitful inner state that would glorify Him and gain her the answer to
that which she desired. At each step in the process, two questions press: "What is the state of her spirit?" and, "What does
the Lord achieve by His response?" These unlock the mystery of this encounter.
At first the Canaanite woman cries "out to Him, saying, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is
severely demon-possessed'" (Mt. 15:22). As we know, "He answered her not a word" (vs. 23). God does not respond
simply because we cry in front of Him, if we are merely whimpering at some plight in this life. The pain generated by our
need is not enough. God knows pain, as His Passion proves. He also understands that people cry when confronted with
serious dilemmas, as when Judas cried to the Temple authorities to stop the Crucifixion. God looks for more: to move us
from crying about situations to being in His presence genuinely. Being oblique with the Lord clearly is inadequate. The
woman begins to cry after His disciples when she receives no reply from the Lord Jesus (vs. 23). She still is not willing to
be present before Him. Therefore, in her hearing, He says to the disciples: "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel" (vs. 24). To awaken her to the One to Whom she has come, He makes a remark that appears to have
implications concerning her status as a pagan idolater. The effect within her snaps her out of self-pity. Here is the
Messiah, He Who is able not only to heal Jews, but also the ills of all peoples of whatever culture or religion, a universal
Savior.
The answer of the Canaanite woman reflects the change that Christ accomplished within her. The Lord promises to answer
if we ask in His Name, submit to His power and authority, recognize His status as Lord, and acknowledge our dependency
on Him. With a change of heart, she becomes direct, enters His presence, worships Him, and says, "Lord, help me!" (vs.
25).
Here was progress, but the Lord was not finished healing her spirit. He cleansed her heart with one more reference to the
social gulf between them (vs. 26), at which she casts away her cultural heritage and pride in favor of humility, the queen of
virtues (vs. 27). She evinces "great faith" (vs. 28), and so He pronounces her daughter cured, granting the mother's desire
(vs. 28).
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who in Thy lovingkindness dost regard the prayers of all who call upon Thee with their
whole heart, hear our prayers now humbly offered unto Thee.
