March 8, 2006	Read Matthew 15:21-28
“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
THE SAVING POWER OF FAITH  “Dog” was a Jewish term of abject contempt for the Gentiles. Thus, Jesus’ disciples urged him to send away the Canaanite woman who pleaded for the expulsion of demons from her daughter. While our daughters were growing up, we collected a menagerie of dogs, all strays, unwanted and often abused. We gave them food, shelter, and companionship. They repaid us with an unflappable love and loyalty that we will always treasure. Like the Canaanite woman, our motley mutts knew their own needs and persisted until they got them. They seemed to say, “I want what they have, I need it, and I’m not going to leave till I get it.” And so, we gave them the scraps from our table and shared our lives with them — we even baked them birthday cakes  So, also, the Canaanite woman displayed persistence, humility and, most importantly, FAITH in meeting her own need — a place at the table. And Jesus’ response to this faith? “Oh, great is your faith Let it be done for you as you wish.” On a deeper level, Christ’s welcoming of the Gentile woman to the heavenly banquet was a sign and a signal: a sign of the saving power of sincere faith; a signal that this salvation was for all mankind, not just for his Jewish brethren. Jesus, give me your heart, and I will give you mine.  Amen. Joanne Ehrlich

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