"Great Is Your Faith!"

Two weeks ago we hear the gospel passage where the disciples are in a boat which is being tossed about in the water.  Jesus comes towards them walking on the water and they are very much afraid.  Peter cries out, "If it's you Lord, tell me to come to you."  Jesus replies "Come."  As Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water, the wind picks up and he begins to sink and cry out "Save me Lord."  Jesus rescues him and then questions why he faltered and lost faith.

In contrast, this passed Sunday we heard the gospel of the Canaanite woman shouting out after Jesus to heal her daughter who is possessed by a demon.  Jesus' response is far from charitable.   (It appears that Jesus too, may once in a great while, have “one of those days,” and is annoyed by one more request). 

Jesus begins to argue with this woman saying that His ministry is not for foreigners but for the people of Israel.  However, the woman is so desperate because her daughters life is at stake, she persists and argues that whatever He can give, “even the leftovers,” will be enough.  This persistence seems to awaken in Jesus a more merciful response; “O woman, great is your faith.”

When putting these two gospel passages side by side, there were a few things that were revealed to me.  First, Peter would be considered one of those Israelites Jesus came to save.  Yet we realize in comparison, Peter’s faith was not as great as this Canaanite woman.  Though I must admit, Jesus would not compare us one to another, it is important for us to make the comparison for our own growth and well-being.

Secondly, although Jesus appears to be less than pastoral in His approach, I think, like all things Jesus does, He is very intentional about what He is doing and the way He is responding.  After all, the disciples are telling Him to get rid of this woman who is bothering them.  They recognize she is a foreigner and they want nothing to do with her.  So it's as if Jesus takes upon Himself the attitude of the disciples.  Yet it is the woman's persistence and faith in Jesus that gains her the response from Jesus who points out, in front of His disciples, the greatness of her faith.

Matthew, the evangelist of the Gospel wants to make a very important point.  God’s love and mercy is for everyone who believes in Him and puts their faith in Him.  It's not just for a select few.  Moreover, whatever God has to give, however great or small, (even the scraps) are enough for us to receive whatever we need in our life for healing, mercy and most especially, salvation.

We too, like Jesus, must be INTENTIONAL about our faith and the way we seek to bring others to Jesus.  We cannot falter nor can we put another down because they are not like us or their blessings and or challenges are different from ours.  Faith, great faith in Christ alone, brings all things to peace and unity in Christ.

“Trust in HIM at all times,” and He will say to you,  “O my dear one, great is your faith.”