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grumble or humble?
“He gave her no word of response.” —Matthew 15:23
Although Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman sounds harsh to our modern ears, Jesus is testing the woman’s faith (Mt 15:23ff). St. Augustine comments that God might seem to refuse our prayers initially so as to enable our hearts to expand and be capable of receiving what He wishes to give us. God’s ways are very high above our ways (Is 55:8-9).
The woman passed the test with flying colors. She displayed both humility and faith. She didn’t protest or grumble about the way Jesus was treating her. She could have been proud or offended, as so many react in the present day. She could have given up and returned home. However, her faith persisted, and her humility shone forth. Jesus both granted her request and gave her the ultimate compliment: “Woman, you have great faith!” (Mt 15:28)
Would that the scribes, Pharisees, and elders of the Jewish people had reacted to Jesus with such faith and humility! Would that the people of Nazareth had such faith and humility, rather than responding to Jesus by being “filled with indignation” (Lk 4:28). Would that the Hebrews in the desert acted with such humility and faith rather than with grumbling and doubt (Ex 16:2; Nm 11:1).
What about us today? Do we grumble about prayers seemingly not being answered? Do we lose faith if it seems to us that the Lord is not listening? There is always a greater level of faith and humility to which we can aspire. Can we humble ourselves and persist in trials? Can we confess that we are “useless servants” (Lk 17:10), not entitled to receive anything from the Lord? When we don’t understand the Lord, will we grumble or be humble?
Prayer: Father, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” (Mt 6:10).
Promise: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” —Is 56:7
Praise: “May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You!” (Ps 67:6) You give us “life from the dead!” (Rm 11:15)
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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