²¹ Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

²³ But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

²⁵ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

²⁶ Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

²⁷ She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

²⁸ “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Matthew 15:21-28

Dear God, this was the passage for church today, and the priest did a nice homily about it. So I want to ask something I don’t think I’ve asked before. What was this girl’s life like after Jesus healed her? Was she remarkably healthy? Did she live to an old age? Did her mother’s work on her behalf make a difference in her relationship with her mother? How did it impact how her mother treated her for the rest of their lives? Did the girl and/or the mother feel the girl’s life was now saddled with a responsibility to be used well since her life was spared and prolonged? Did the woman become a Gentile disciple after Jesus’s death and resurrection? Did the girl grow up to be a follower?

There are so many questions that this story doesn’t tell us. All it tells us is that Jesus responded tersely with this woman–almost in a racist way–and the woman impressed him. I tend to think he wasn’t actually being racist, but was testing her to see what she believed, as a Gentile, when it came to you and to him. Was she there for the freak show? Was she there just to use him?

So as I, a Gentile believe, pray for the things in my life–my wife, children, family, friends, etc.–what am I really doing here? What do I really want. Do I just selfishly want you to do for each one what I ask you to do, or do I want to simply ask that your kingdom will come and your will will be done in their lives, and in mine? Can I let go–truly let go–of the outcomes I want to see and simply turn my eyes upon you? Can I let go of making any of them my idols and let you be God?

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please be with everyone who is on my heart right now. I turn my eyes to you. Work in me. Break me, melt me, mold me, and fill me.

I pray all of this through complete submission to you,

Amen