The Way
A Mother from the Region of Tyre
A faith content with crumbs
Story
Jesus left Galilee and went north into the region of Tyre, a foreign land by the sea. He stayed in a house and wanted no one to know, but he could not stay hidden. A woman who heard about him came at once and fell at his feet. Her little daughter was tormented by an unclean spirit. She was not an Israelite, but a Greek woman, born in Syrian Phoenicia.
Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. When Jesus gave her not a single word in reply, she kept following and crying out, and the disciples asked him to send her away, since she was bothering them. Jesus' answer sounded cold. It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. Still the mother would not back away.
Yes, Lord. But even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs the children drop. After a moment, Jesus looked at her. Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you wish. When she went home, she found the child lying peacefully on the bed, and the spirit that had tormented her was already gone.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Woman, your faith is truly great. Let it be done for you just as you wish.
Let the children be fed first. It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the house dogs.
Because you have answered this way, go home now. The evil spirit has already left your daughter.
Yes, Lord. But even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs the children drop, do they not?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 15:21–28 · Mk 7:24–30
Background
Tyre was a Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast, Gentile territory in Jewish eyes. The word Jesus used refers not to wild dogs but to small dogs kept in the house.
Pause and Reflect
Even when the answer is slow to come, do I keep praying, trusting the Lord's goodness?