At the beginning of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus withdraws to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Having just challenged the scribes and Pharisees in their questioning him about why the disciples break with tradition, Jesus says to them: “You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
These are warring words, so it makes sense that Jesus, a warrior whose Passion was all-out war against sin, would go on the offensive and then retreat strategically. Yet, this is the same God of Israel who says in the first reading from Jeremiah: “With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.”
Help me understand, God, how today’s readings fit together into a larger picture. Jesus left one front where he fought against sin only to encounter another: the Canaanite woman’s daughter who was tormented by a demon. The woman begged for Jesus’ mercy, was challenged by him to test her faith (“It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs”), and then with her persistence, received his mercy (“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish”). More than once, Jesus attempted to retreat to be alone with his Father in prayer but then saw the needs of those who came to him and met them where they were with his unconditional love. Again, from the first reading, God says: “As Israel comes forward to be given his rest, the LORD appears to him from afar.”
If I see that people came to Jesus no matter where he was or where he was on his way to (even to spend quiet time in prayer), let me not be afraid at that moment to bring my greatest needs to him. If my own plans lead to an unending cycle where I am never satisfied to rest, let me recognize like the Canaanite woman that even the scraps from the Lord’s table, like supersubstantial bread, would at last satisfy my longing and hunger to know God’s will and to do it. Today, Lord, I know you want me to come to you and that you will meet me where I am. Let me recognize that and be bold in standing behind you today in spiritual battle, asking confidently for what I need.