7/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : The Canaanite Woman (Mt15:21-28)

7/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : The Canaanite Woman (Mt15:21-28)

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Musings of the Canaanite Sister,..

“What I have been hearing about this man called Jesus of Nazareth is:

That he is revered as the Messiah.

That he is from the Davidic Royal lineage.

That he is very caring and compassionate.

That he reaches out to the sick and heals.

That he is very forgiving to the sinners.

That he has miraculous powers and he has in fact healed many.

So with great hope and expectations,

I pleaded him to heal my ailing and demon- possessed daughter.

To my shocking disappointment,

He never answered a word!

He ignored me and my plea.

It was quite contrary to all those good things I had been hearing about him.

He appeared to be very inconsiderate!

His disciples too were no different.

They felt that I am a nuisance and urged him to pack me off!

Finally he spoke not to me but to them.

He told them,

‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’

What he meant was: I being a non-Jew my problems are none of his concerns.

I thought he would he would say something nice!

Though initially I was a bit disappointed with his cold and uncaring response,

I was in no mood to give up.

I was determined to pursue and even pester.

I came forward and knelt right in front of him, partially blocking him going forward.

I pleaded for his help.

Oh, Boy, his answer seemed rather offensive as he compared Jews to children and non-Jews to dogs!

When I looked at him in disgust somehow his facial expression didn't look angry or hateful. There was even naughty smile on his face.

Right away I concluded that he was up to teasing me rather than hating me.

Instantly I made up not to yield to disappointment but rather fight it out defiantly by giving him a ‘tit for tat’ answer.

I told him that I didn't expect to take children's food to be given to dogs.

But I would be happy as a dog would be happy to get even the crumbs that fall from the table.

Doesn't a normally have the right for the crumbs that fall from the table?

It seems he liked my quip and he complimented me for my persevering faith.

And he granted me my wish!

My daughter was healed!

Oh, Dear Jesus, the son of David,

You are super!

You are not only the Son of David and the Messiah, you are also a true human being with a sense of humour, Right, Lord?

Thank you, Lord!

Lord,  Son of David,

I love to keep barking at you affectionately as a dog would lovingly bark at it's Master!

I shall always cherish those momentous  moments of interaction with you.

Lord, Jesus, the Son of David,

Whenever I think of the events these particular moments my face automatically wears a cheerful smile!

Thank you, A million thank you, Lord!”

Musings of Son of David…

“Dear Canaanite Daughter,

Thank you for addressing me as

‘Son of  David’.

I like that title very much.

Look, I liked you the very moment I heard your plea and the moment my eyes caught the sight of you I had compassion on you.

I know your enduring struggles have made you tough.

Caring for your tormented daughter wasn't that easy at all.

You must have repeatedly asked Yahweh your God the reason for allowing your daughter to be tormented by the evil one, right?

I fully  understand what you have been through all these years.

It isn't easy at all to take care of a demon-possessed daughter who must have often been violent.

I have compassionate love for you and for your daughter and have caring thoughts for you both.

My initial lack of interest in you was just a ploy.

I just wanted to test your endurance by teasing you which seemed offensive, right?

You were right in assessing me that I wasn't mean or hostile to you just because  you were a non-Jew.

You rightly picked it up from my facial expressions and from my tone that I wasn't hostile to you.

I did like the way you answered me and paid me back in the same coin.

I loved your argument about the dogs and their right to have the crumbs!

Go home, my Daughter of strong faith!

And enjoy the company of your daughter who is no more possessed.

And enjoy your life and make up those missing years!”

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Thank you for the way you challenged her.

Sure, she gave you a tit for a tat.

How I wish!

I had the endurance of your Canaanite Daughter.

I tend to give up very easily.

I often keep blaming others for my woes.

I tend to get easily hurt and offended!

If I were to be compared to a dog I would have been deeply hurt.

That's part of me, Lord!

Yet, You keep on patiently loving me and You keep on mercifully forgiving me!

Thank You, My Risen Lord!

Thanks a Million!

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

I bring before you:

Everyone of my loved ones.

Everyone of my enemies who were and are.

Everyone who loves as well as hates me.

Everyone whom I love and whom i hate.

Everyone who helps me and who don't.

Everyone whom i have lead astray.

Everyone who is sick and needs healing.

Everyone who is in despair and needs hope.

Every priest who is in need of prayers.

Everyone who has met with me!

Oh, Jesus, My Lord and My God,

I thank You,

I thank the Father,

I thank the Spirit,

For Your Unsolicited gift of life for me!

For Your Uncountable blessings for me!

For Your Unlimited Patience with me!

For Your Untold Forgiveness for me!

For Your Unflinching faith in me!

For Your Unfailing Hope in me!

For Your Unconditional Love of me!

Amen

JoAchen

Joachenmonologues@gmail.com

Thursday, 7th April  2016

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegesis nor are they any highly theological explanations. They are a sort of devotional musings and monologues mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth. They are a part of my journaling as a Prodigal Priest trying to make my pilgrimage back to the Home of our Heavenly Father. As I keep holding you in my prayers and I request you to include me in yours. Thank you