Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

 “With an age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

    Both readings today illustrate that the Jewish faith tradition is not a missionary religion. Unlike many of our Christian faith traditions today, the Jewish people do not seek converts to their faith, because they are the chosen people. So, there is a definite distinction here between the renegade Canaanites and the chosen Jews. Not being Jewish, the Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is being treated like a foreigner by Jesus’ disciples.
 
    We know that Jesus had a human nature, as well as a divine one. So, like us, he made human mistakes—social errors—in his interpersonal relationships. Today’s gospel excerpt is a good example of this. I picture Mary, his mother, standing nearby and saying to him, “Son, you don’t call people dogs. Didn’t Joseph and I teach you better manners?”
 
    The gospel writers weave the Canaanite woman—like Mark’s Syrophoenician woman—into the gospel to illustrate a dynamic of Jesus: total acceptance of anyone who loves.
    
    Empowered by an intense love for her daughter and a deep faith in Jesus as healer, the Canaanite woman persists in begging Jesus to heal her daughter. Because of the woman’s adamant faith, Jesus concedes and her daughter is healed. Jesus not only sees but also feels this mother’s love. He, too, knows the strength of love in a relationship. He understands human flaws and sins. In accepting our own humanity and enduring the pain of making upright moral choices Jesus floods us with grace—God’s life within us.
 
    We have also been reading the prophet, Jeremiah. We remember that, at first, Jeremiah refutes God’s call to him as prophet. He is too young; the work too difficult—the usual ranting we all experience when hard work is put upon us. Recognizing God’s call, he gives in. His life as prophet is filled with people’s bickering and disobedience. However, Jeremiah is so attracted to God’s love for him that he accepts all that God offers. He is filled with the gift from God: grace.
 
    In the two Scripture readings, as well as the psalm today, we are-assured of a major gift: God’s unconditional and indefatigable love for each one of us personally. Of course, as always, love needs a concrete response. So, are we willing to follow both Jeremiah’s and Jesus’ example in responding to God’s invitation to us on a daily basis? Or will we renege on our commitment made in Baptism because of obstinacy or emotional pain? How we follow them depends on each one’s circumstances and call for decision making.   
 
    We can look on the gospel as God’s love letters to us. The Canaanite woman loves her daughter so much that she risks making a fool out of herself in front of all Jesus’ followers. What do we risk to love deeply?
 
“I will turn their mourning into joy.
I will console and gladden them
  after their sorrows. (Jeremiah 3:13)