Scraps of Grace
The Canaanite woman came to Jesus for help. Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman begged, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Jesus replied, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed. (Matthew 15:24-28)
Inasmuch as there are so many great things to reflect upon in this Gospel passage, they are all about grace. Jesus was indeed sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but there were many in Israel who refused to accept Jesus despite His many healings and miracles. Right before the Canaanite woman came to see Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking the tradition of the elders (Matthew 15:2) Perhaps the Canaanite woman observed that was happening, so she took the chance and said that even dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters. Indeed, graces were falling from the table of the house of Israel, for many had refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah. And there she was, ready and willing to receive the grace that others had rejected.
This Gospel passage is not just about the grace of healing; more importantly, it is about the grace of faith. She called out to Jesus, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” In doing so, she acknowledged that Jesus was the Anointed One. The Canaanite woman had accepted what the scribes and the Pharisees would not. Jesus praised the faith of the Canaanite woman, for her faith surpassed the faith of the scribes and the Pharisees – the very people who should have great faith.
What kind of faith do we have? The kind of faith that we have can be seen in the manner in which we pray. When we pray with humility, trust and openness to God’s will, we pray in faith. When we pray, it is like we are on a road that leads to a two-way fork. One way leads to disappointment and rebellion, and the other way leads to understanding and acceptance. Let us make prayer what it was meant to be – a gift of grace that allows us to grow in faith, hope and love. And don’t forget to beg for the scraps of grace that fall from the others’ tables.