Credit: Wellcome Library, London.
I really like the story of the Syrophoenician woman in the Luke. She begs Jesus to drive out the demon possessing her daughter. Jesus tells her He has come for the Jews. She responds: “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Admiring her faith, Jesus grants her wish. (MK 7 24-30)
Why did Jesus challenge her? When I hear this parable, I identify with the supplicating woman believing I am asking for something I haven’t earned and probably don’t deserve.
Similar to asking of God, who I’m not sure I believe in for a favor, I really don’t deserve, but ask anyway. “Even the dogs are fed” This is a re-telling of a familiar imperative in parable form to support a wobbly faith.
Seek and you find, knock and the door will be opened, ask and it will be given. (MT 7:7) You don’t have to know God just accept that there is a higher power.
We are a community of laymen and laywomen who, with vowed Passionists, seek to share in the charism of St. Paul of the Cross through prayer, ongoing spiritual formation, and proclamation of the message of Christ Crucified.
