The example of the Canaanite woman

The Canaanite woman is the central person in today's gospel from Matthew 15:21-28. She is very anxious for her daughter to be healed and is bold and persistent, asking for Jesus to help her because she believed that he had the power to cure her daughter. Jesus has come into her non Jewish area so she believes that she has the right to ask for his help. She persists even though the disciples are irritated with her and Jesus himself speaks to her in a discouraging way. It is hard to imagine Jesus saying that it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to dogs. Perhaps it is a sign of the difficulties in Matthew's community between the Jewish and Gentile christians. However, the woman answers Jesus turning his argument to her own advantage. Jesus shows that he listens to those on the peripheries and allows himself to respond to their needs. For us also, Jesus is a God who journeys with us and is always ready to listen to our needs and will answer us, when we turn to him in faith. The Cannaanite woman gives us a great example. Like her may we live out our faith with the same perseverance and passion.