Daring Faith: St.Mathew 15:21-28
K.R Meera is a popular writer in Malayalam whose book, Aarachar was translated in English as Hangwoman. She has received Sahitya Academia Award in 2015 for Aarachar. She writes about the women and her experiences. For meera woman is a condition. Meera is closed to her mother and she acknowledged the influence of her mother in various occasions. while her mother was sick, meera said there is chemical process which is taking place when our loved ones get sick. Her mother never cared her health but made sure that her family members are well. This is true with most of the traditional families in India where mothers are not serious about their health but they look after others promptly. Canaanite mother is best example of Indian motherhood who are seriously concerned about the well being of their children. she goes through the same pain because her daughter was possessed by demon. The text is an encounter between Jesus and Canaanite woman and they crossed the boundaries which were set for centuries together.
1. Faith that has perseverance
The canaanite mother (she has no name which itself shows the culture of male dominated society where Her stories are not recorded properly) belonged to a gentile region of Tyre and Sidon. In Mark 7: 24-30 is the parallel text where she is introduced as Syro-Phoenician and greek by birth. Canaanites were treated as impure, cursed, outsiders. Jewish claimed themselves that they are the children of God. It is well evident in the beginning of Jesus response which is not inherent but resembles Jews attitude. They never had any relationship with canaanites who were considered as even dogs. Canaanite mother faced all these difficulties, challenges and bitter experiences and she remained in her faith. For Jewish community she was impure. For disciples, she was a nuisance (v. 23). The response of Jesus was quiet harsh. She did not waver in her faith. This is the difference between people who claim that they have faith and people who have real faith. Canaanite woman did not logically approach to Jesus but she had perseverance in her faith.
2. Healing that has no conditions
We relate others with conditions. often our relationships, interactions are conditional. It is conditional because there is a boundary which is created due to the caste, class, ethnic, gender differences. It is true with the hospitality whether it is in national or organizational or personal which is always conditional. But Jesus crossed all the boundaries and acted beyond the conventional sympathy. The text urges to honour women in context women are silenced, victimized, abused and dishonored. It is criticism that the churches are mute and haven't responded to the recent incidents of abuse and rape. Jesus acknowledged the voice of women and the great faith of the canaanite woman.
