A Few Words On "The Word"

August 17, 2008
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 15:21-28

Choosing to Care

I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy having deep discussions with people.  Even when I may disagree with what someone else is saying, I still like learning about another person’s opinions or beliefs.  It’s true that disagreements can lead to healthy debate, but it reassures me to know that there are others around me who care a lot about what’s going on in our society or world.

Unlike the people we may have deep discussions or debates with, there are many in our culture who don’t really care about anyone but themselves.  They truly don’t seem to care that people are being treated unjustly as long as they and the people close to them are healthy, safe, and prosperous.  We call people who don’t really care about anything apathetic.

Apathy is a big problem in our society.  It’s essentially choosing not to care about a problem even when you know it exists.  For example, if you know about the genocide taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan but truly don’t care about the people there at all then you are probably apathetic regarding that situation.  Apathy is the opposite of empathy and leads to selfishness and a lack of respect for other people.

Today’s reading centers on Jesus’ encounter with a non-Jewish woman.  She asks for pity and implores Jesus to heal her daughter.  Shockingly, Jesus seems to react with a bit of apathy, basically stating that he was only sent to help Jewish people in need.

What?  Jesus is actually turning down a woman who is begging him for help?  It seems so out of character because we know how much Jesus cares about other people.  Surely Jesus isn’t falling into that trap of “being special” we talked about a few weeks ago?  He doesn’t think that Jews are the only people God has a relationship with…does he?

Fortunately, the non-Jewish woman refuses to take no for an answer and continues to plead with Jesus.  Finally, Jesus realizes how deep her faith is and takes pity on her, healing her daughter.

Today’s gospel reading is very significant for many reasons.  It shows us that even Jesus could have a change of heart.  It helps us realize that God has a relationship with all people, even the outsiders we often overlook.  Lastly, it teaches us the important role empathy and pity play in how we treat those around us.

The reality is that we can’t always know exactly what a person is going through.  We can’t perfectly understand and relate to their personal experience.  However, as peacebuilders it is essential that we realize and take pity on those who are in need.  Caring about the problems and, most importantly, the people around us is central to Jesus’ call.  Choosing to care about those in need gives us a desire to change things and build the Kingdom of God.

Reflection Question

In what ways do you overcome a tendency to become apathetic to those in need around you?

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