Isaiah 56:1(2-5)6-7
Psalm 67
Romans 11:13-15,29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
The Final Blessing was given and the closing hymn had begun to be sung. The altar party processed down the middle aisle as usual to the rear of the church. As we were approaching the back of the church, I noticed this very tall, dark skinned man with jet black hair in a pony tail standing in the back along the wall with two children. The girl must have been around 6 or 7 years old and the boy around 9. You could tell from their clothes that they weren't well off.
Their Dad seemed very anxious and eager to talk to me and Pat who was the celebrant that day. I was trying to greet parishioners as they left the service and to visit with them as much as possible. This man whom we'll call "Joe" kept talking to me and keeping me from greeting people. He stuttered a little but he got his ideas across well. I remember too the very large tattoo on his right arm.
In a way, "Joe" was just like the Canaanite woman in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus had gone to the region of Tyre and Sidon because of his controversies with the Pharisees - and his need for some "alone" time to think and pray. He wanted to be left alone just as I wanted to greet people at the end of the service.
The Canaanites were considered by the Jews to be a sinful race, exemplifying all that was wicked and godless. They were outcastes and were to be avoided at all costs. "Joe" who was dark and somewhat unkempt is a modern Canaanite who really doesn't fit our supposed "middle class" definition of a Christian let alone a church goer, let alone an Episcopalian Christian.
To the disciples, the woman who follows after Jesus with her cries, is nothing but a nuisance to them and to Jesus. They ask him to dismiss her implying that he first grant her petition. Jesus seems not to hear her cries. In truth, for him, the problem is elsewhere: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" - in other words, to save the Jews. The woman is only concerned with the welfare of her daughter who is "tormented by a demon." "Joe too is concerned only with the welfare of his kids - to feed, clothe and find shelter for them. (and in this instance to keep them from being homeless).
The woman knows that Jesus can cure her daughter. Jesus tells her "It isn't fair to take the children's food and throw it the dogs." These words sound harsh but Jesus is really telling her that Israel - "the children" has been entrusted with the goods of the covenant symbolized by "the bread." (crumbs)
The woman understands what Jesus tells her and replies: "Yes, Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Pagans don't steal others' goods. They will have their share too.
The woman understand too that Israel had first claim on the blessings that he brings. However, she is also correct in seeing that it is a ministry of MANY blessings not all of them needed by Jews.
The Canaanite woman doesn't have to say any more to Jesus. His compassion for all who suffer means more to Jesus than does the need for him to devote his time only to his disciples. Jesus tells the woman - "Woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish. "With these words, the woman's daughter is healed.
"Joe" followed Pat and me back to the sacristy that Sunday morning. His kids were able to eat some cookies from the treats provided after the service. "Joe told us his story of staying in a St. Cloud motel and how he needed money to pay for the last two nights lodging that day or he would be evicted. He was really "down and out" on his luck and pretty desperate.
I learned then that he promised to do "odd jobs" for the church in the winter and never completed them. "Joe" told us how his car had broken down and he couldn't drive anywhere. It was indeed a very distressing situation but his persistence paid off just like the Canaanite woman's did. We did what we could for him and he went on his way.
There are many more "Joes" and Canaanite women out there who need our help and love? In our own small homogenously white community of Paynesville, who are the lonely, depressed, forgotten, the destitute, and the too proud people to tell you how "down and out" they really are? I'm sure you know some of them. In my opinion, if we are going to grow, we need to reach out to all of them whether they be native Americans, brown, Hispanic, Hmong or some other minority. We need to imitate Jesus' compassion in this story. We need to participate in food shelves, open our church doors to community lunches, and reach out to those ignored and overlooked Christians who are Senior Citizens. There is a home here for all of them at St. Stephen's! Yes, and that means we need to really be open to change and some discomfort.
Yes, "they'll know we are Christian by our love," The words of the song say. Not by excluding people. Not by accepting only those who are most like us but by inviting and welcoming those who are most different from us. If we do this, our pews will be filled with many Canaanite women and "Joes"! but more importantly they will experience the love of Jesus Christ for them ever in this very place.
Don't forget that our Episcopal Church is a church where there are no outcasts! This is what distinguishes us from other denominations because to us "love is not blind to flaws, but kindles tender mercies around those flaws. Love puts its focus on what we are, rather than what we are not.
Love is unconditional. It gives and gives and gives… and then it gives some more. To make rules for love would be to dilute it. Love is love - it isn't dependent on the if/and/or/buts of its performance. Loving words have the power to make the plain beautiful, the poor rich and bring new life and hope to those who despair."
How far do you think we are willing to go to reach out with Christ's love to a lonely neighbor, a depressed friend or a desperate "Joe" or a Canaanite woman? I hope it's a long long way. Amen.