Refusing rejection and rejecting refusal.

She wasn't a Jew, and Jesus was a Jewish preacher, come up north to find and teach Jewish expatriates. Such things didn't matter to her, she was convinced that Jesus could make her sick daughter well, and she followed him in the street, shouting to him to heal her daughter. Jesus didn't answer her. He, the savior of the world, the man come to give life to who ever wanted it, didn't answer her a word, and the disciples weary after a day of assisting him to teach, wanted Jesus to tell her to go away. Eventually he explained, he was a Jewish preacher and his message was only for the Jews. She took no notice, but knelt before him obstructing his path, and begging him to heal her daughter. Jesus must step round her or attend to her. Strongly now he explains that he is there for the Jews and for them only. His answer would have snubbed anyone but this woman. She refuses to be snubbed or silenced, she argues with this teacher come from God and takes his own arguments against, and turns them into reasons for, the healing of her child.

I interpret this story in a new way now, because the world I live in is sick. Anger has turned into hate and hatred is truly the torment of a demon. Fear and greed have turned into violence and violence is demonic. Like this woman long ago I pray continually for the healing of this broken world. I know it is impossible, hatred has been nurtured and fears fed. Nevertheless I call out for the healing of our world. Others may have heard an answer, but I have only heard silence. Our world is bleeding, our youths are broken, their futures ruined. Children are being killed. God stop the madness! Stop the madness of people who profess to trust and serve you. This woman from long ago, called Jesus, 'Son of David' she knew some of the sacred history. In the Bible I find answers. God is the king of kings, he establishes thrones and casts down evil doers. So I cry with faith. I cry to him, and I cry to myself, because of what has happened to the beauty we were cultivating in our world. Like the woman long ago, we must continue asking for the impossible, never accepting reasons why it cannot be, and never allowing the difficulties of the situation to silence us. God can heal, he can heal miraculously, he can heal quickly. Let us continue kneeling before him.

Matthew 15:21-28[21] Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. [22] Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." [23] But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." [24] He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." [25] But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." [26] He answered, "It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs." [27] She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table." [28] Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instant