Breaking the Word

 During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?…

Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my saviour…

 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.(Lk1:39-56)

Two 'mothers-to-be' celebrate. A beautiful scene created by Luke. The babes in the wombs recognize each other (!!!) and they too rejoice. What would have been the reason for such a joy and celebration? Could it be a celebration for life? Mothers coming together were certainly to greet each other about their motherhood. There is joy in being a mother and there is joy in bring forth life and the celebration is even before birth.

It is a celebration about God and his activities. Yes every celebration should centre on God. Everything that happens is the work of God and in fact everything that happens is a miracle of God. Certainly the births of John and Jesus were miracles of God. God is the source of celebration and God is the reason for celebration and God actions are for celebration and God's presence is the celebration.

Song of Mary echoes the celebration very well. God's long promised revolution is taking place in their times. Victory over the powers of evil is taking place. It is giving hope to the hopeless (Elizabeth). Power-brokers, money-makers etc are toppled. It is a celebration of God. God has taken the initiative and God is the ultimate reason to celebrate

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.  (Mt 15:21-28)

Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. But when his disciples questioned him he answered them promptly. Was Jesus silent to the Canaanite woman because she was a foreigner? Whatever might be he ignored her. Ignoring is one way of saying that one is not wanted or one is not happy with the person etc. Jesus clearly does so as we see it at the end of the scene.

Disciples came forward and pleaded for him. Jesus’ answer seems to be so divisive. He speaks in exclusive language. There must be a reason for it because he came to build a kingdom that was all inclusive. But the language that Jesus uses in this context is very offensive to the listener. Jesus clearly shows that both she and her daughter do not belong to him.

The woman continues to plead and the answer given by Jesus is more offensive to say the least. He indirectly calls her a dog. (Dog is the animal that goes back to its vomit. 2Peter 2:22. Probably she will return to her religion after the healing…). She expresses her faith clearly in front of all. She indirectly says that the benefits reach even those who are outsiders. Faith makes all things possible.