Matthew 15:21-28

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

It’s so good to be back in Cincinnati.  The past month was good for me and my family, an I trust that it was good for you as well.  This past month was a good time for me to stop a bit, have a change of pace, and continue to be curious about the heroes journey that I have been on.  The heroes journey of every human involves a time of separation, transformation, and peace or contentment.  This is an ongoing journey and last month was simply a part of that journey.  That journey is reflected in all of us to some degree, if we have the courage to ask questions, be curious, take risks.  It also involves saying yes to yourself, your deepest Self and to certain things in life.  

Our gospel lesson this morning involves a yes for three people.  The Canaanite woman, whose name we don’t know says yes to a risk of seeking out Jesus, a Jewish rabbi that normally would not associate with her, a foreigner.  Her daughter who was ill and trying to come to terms with her illness.  And, Jesus.  He had to come to a point of saying yes to thinking in new ways.  

I can relate to the woman in our gospel passage this morning in need of healing for her daughter.  Our adult children are amazing.  They have also been on heroes journeys, especially now in their 20’s.  I was so glad that they said yes to going on this pilgrimage to Iona and Lindisfarne with us, and to see where life continues to take us.  I would, like the Canaanite woman, take huge risks for them, as I know many of you would for your children as well.

As a church, we are asked to say yes to our journeys as humans and as a congregation together.  What are we willing to say yes to?  Ultimately, are we willing to say yes to God’s flow, no matter where it takes us?  Are we willing to take risks and to trust?  Are we willing to admit that we are wounded, ill, and in need of healing?

In the end, this time can be isolating and we are all looking for healing in all sorts of places.  In the midst of this season, we are finding that healing in different ways, but all of those ways, I believe, lead us into new practices and deeper relationships with ourselves, others, and, ultimately, with God as we navigate in new ways what it means to not only survive, but to even thrive, and to become the persons that God intends.

Jesus, as the healer in this story, is going through changes and having to adapt and taking risks in saying yes.  The Canaanite woman is a foreigner, up to this time, Jesus saw his mission in life to bring reform to the Jewish community, yet, here he is confronted by a foreigner who’s got some moxie, and a deep love for her daughter.  She doesn’t let go of her pursuit of healing, and of God’s favor, and Jesus is moved, changed, and adapts his mission.  Now, this story may have been given interpretation by authors over the centuries to show its readers that the disciples were the ones who were focused only on their tribe, their people, and that Jesus was testing them.  Whatever you think, there is a shift, a change, and Jesus responds to this woman who’s asking for crumbs, and Jesus responds by giving her all that she had asked for.  Her daughter is healed and the mother’s faith is rewarded.

Her faith was remarkable, and it makes an impression on Jesus.  And, Jesus responds with a yes to her.  This same Jesus also says yes to us throughout eternity.

So, friends, we all need healing, we all need time with God in this highly polarized culture with so many voices, we all need to know that God is in this with us and will respond to honest faith filled with doubt as well as authenticity.  And, we need to remember that God does hear the cries of those who are foreigners, not of our faith or culture, and that we should hear their cries as well, as we are the body of Christ, and just as Christ is moved, we should be as well and take the risk to say in response to God’s Yes to us.