God had the same problem with the Israelites in today's first reading. God showed them what He promised them, but instead of trusting what God told them, they focused on how they perceived things and not how God perceived the situation. How easily they lost faith when things didn't go their way. God was finally fed up. "How long will this wicked assembly grumble against me?"
Contrast that to the Canaanite woman in today's Gospel. People back then got used to the idea that only the Jews deserve to be blessed by God. It was unthinkable for Gentiles in Jesus' time to approach a Jew for assistance, much more a "rabbi". And yet we find a woman who understood Jesus more than anyone else.
Jesus tested her faith. Of course He wouldn't forsake someone who humbly asks for help, but He wanted to show His disciples what faith was all about. Jesus rebuked the woman and even compared her to a dog who only eat scraps. But great faith only believes; it doesn't complain. Any blessing from God, for people with faith, is an infinite joy. She had no problems eating scraps if that meant receiving God's blessings. No demands, no conditions. Just like how God loves us.
The Israelites who failed to trust in God died in the desert. The Canaanite woman who had faith despite being rebuked got what she asked for. My daughter still loves drinking the juice she loves in her favorite tumbler, but that doesn't stop her from drinking it from any glass already. She's grown to be a mature girl, and knows that the tumbler is just a bonus, and shouldn't prevent her from drinking what she really needs.
How about you? How much do you trust in God despite how your situation tells you otherwise? Will you receive the grace He is giving whatever form it is in, or will you remain a brat who will remain unnourished?
No comments:
Post a Comment