The Canaanite Woman ~ in my prayer

Ah man…

Here we go…again...

I  call  The  Canaanite  Woman
  Jesus’  spiritual  director.

Yesterday my prayer helped me explore the idea...the tradition...my heart...of sin and with sin.

I was challenged on retreat, as i've said ~ repeatedly...ah man...sorry 'bout that ~ because it sounds like I suggest that Jesus sins in the story.

I hold Jesus did initially respond to the Canaanite Woman through the tradition he understood:  She is an outsider.  I hold Jesus did initially respond through the tradition he understood:  The First to be tended are the "lost sheep of (The Chosen)."

Jesus' response to her is in accordance with the popular consensus. Subsequently 'righteous', if you will in the eyes of the crowd.  No sin.

Now, here is the lesson in the story for me supported by Hebrews 4: 15.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable 
to sympathize with our weaknesses, 

but one who has similarly been 
tested in every way, 
yet without sin.

Jesus understands Human Free Will because Jesus lived with Human Free Will.  Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses.  Jesus' Human Free Will was tested in every way.  Jesus' attitude was adjusted.  Jesus was without sin in God is Love.

I  call  The  Canaanite  Woman
  Jesus’  spiritual  director.

The Canaanite Woman challenged the popular tradition Jesus lived.  Jesus heard her.  Jesus' attitude adjusted...

Jesus was tempted to follow the tradition of recognizing a CHOSEN people.  Jesus' new knowledge came from the fruit of a different tree.  Jesus ate.  Jesus glorified God with his new knowledge in...through...with God is Love.  God is Love unconditionally.

ALL are CHOSEN.

Wow...ah man...

I cry.

Breathe.

I pray I will always hear another's prayer.



I pray (my soul) will leap in (my) womb, and be filled with the Holy Spirit always when I am greeted by another.



I pray I will always feel God's Love through another person.



I pray (my soul) will leap in (my) womb, and be filled with the Holy Spirit always when I am with another.



I pray I will always live God is Love.



I pray (others' souls) will leap in (their) wombs, and be filled with the Holy Spirit always when I greet them.


Let's sit back.  Feel our hearts beat.  Breathe and sigh...

The Canaanite Woman ~ on my mind

I call The Canaanite Woman Jesus’ spiritual director.

Here’s why…

I am very nervous.  I was blasted once when I presented this prayer in a retreat.  I understand totally why others find it just wrong.

Never the less, I am very nervous…

I bring back the question Jesus asked the scholar of the law, “How do you read it?”

I bring back the topic from an earlier prayer, ‘Who do the crowds say I am ~ in my heart, in my life, in my stillness.’  It seems so long ago...maybe in archives labeled CHRISTOLOGY. Christology in my naiveté.

I bring back the topic from an earlier prayer, ‘The Triumph of the Cross ~ in my heart.’  It too seems so long ago...maybe in archives labeled TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS.
Christology in my naiveté.

WARNING:  tangent!

I just realized how labels work!  I can click on any of the labels at the bottom of each post or at the very bottom of the visible page and the computer brings to the front all of our previous prayers on that subject.

I really need to take advantage of this.  I really need to edit the posts to add labels...

Alright.

Alrightalright…

Jesus’ humanity is so important to me on so many levels of my consciousness...in my heart.

The Canaanite Woman.           Matthew 15:  22-28
The SyroPhoenician Woman.  Mark 7:  24-30

Jesus is walking with a crowd of people when an 'outsider' ~ that’s important ~ woman approaches him.  She needs his help.  She asks for his help.

He tells her his mission is with (the Chosen People).  He tells her it just wouldn’t be right to take food from Israel and toss it to the dogs.  Ah man...I can’t imagine what it must feel like for anyone...much less Jesus...to refer to me as a DOG!  Whoa…

What would I do?  How would I feel?  How many times have I called a person a Dog...less than me...thought of myself as ‘better than...

...CHOSEN…

CHOSEN over another…

Alright.

Alrightalright.

Let’s rest with that.  Sit back.  Feel my heart beat.  Breathe and sigh.

Another day, huh?