The Daughter of the Canaanite Woman
Peter Koenig, 2016

Dear friends,

Let us take a moment to reflect on the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28, a passage that contains valuable teachings for all of us, regardless of our religious beliefs.

In this story, a woman approaches Jesus and begs him to heal her daughter, who is possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus ignores her, telling her that his mission is to the Jews and not to the Gentiles. The woman persists, however, and even when Jesus rebukes her by saying, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs," she responds with humility and faith, saying, "Truly, Lord; but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table."

This woman's persistence and faith are admirable, but the most striking aspect of this story, to me, is Jesus' response. By telling her that his mission is only to the Jews, Jesus is exhibiting a narrow-mindedness that is not in line with his message of compassion and inclusion. However, when the woman demonstrates her unwavering faith and her understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings, Jesus recognizes her as a person of great faith and heals her daughter.

The lesson here is that we must recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all beings, regardless of their race, nationality, religion, or any other external factor. We must also be willing to challenge our own biases and prejudices, and to extend compassion and kindness even to those who may be different from us.

It is important to cultivate the qualities of compassion and kindness, not only in our interactions with those we consider to be our friends, but also with those who may be different from us, or who may have views that we disagree with. By doing so, we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world, where all beings are treated with respect and kindness.

So let us take the teachings of this story to heart, and strive to cultivate greater compassion, understanding, and inclusivity in our daily lives. May we all be inspired by the faith and persistence of the Canaanite woman, and may we work together to create a world where all beings are seen and valued for who they truly are.