In last weekend's gospel we had another miracle - the walking on the water by Jesus, and for a short while by Peter - and that miracle, like all miracles in the gospels, are meant not as magic to entice us or to lock us into following God, but rather are meant to illustrate to us God's great power and our absolute de-pendence upon God. As I mentioned in last weekend's homily the point of these miracle is to lead us all into complete and absolute Trust in Christ.

This weekend we hear of another account in the gospel, again by Matthew (15:21-28), that is meant to call us to completely trust the Lord. Here we have Christ in the region of Tyre and Sidon - far from the chosen people of Israel?and in the presence of a Canaanite woman. The woman calls out for Jesus' pity to come upon her suffering daughter. Jesus ignores her at first and she cries out all the more, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!" Irked, the Disciples of Christ tell Him to send her away as she is unworthy of His time and energy - and she is bothering the disciples. Jesus tells the woman, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman continues and pays Him homage. There is a great divide taking place here: from the chosen people of Israel who have a sense of entitlement to God's favor to this woman of no standing, now showing faith in the Lord by paying Him homage. Her humility and faith lead to Jesus' action for her. It even dissuades the Lord from His statement: "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." In her humility she notes that, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." This woman comes to the Lord lowly and full of humility, seeking the Lord?s help and knowing that all she needs is to place herself in His presence and healing will occur.

Humility, faith and Trust - absolute trust in the Lord bring about God's wonderful goodness. Like the Canaanite woman, may we all come to the Lord just as we are and be lifted up by His magnificent goodness and compassion and not seek to be raised up by our own merits.