Uniwersalizm opowiadania o kobiecie kananejskiej (Mt 15,21-28)

Abstract

The narrative about the Canaanite woman (Mt 15,21-28) as to the content is parallel to the discourse about Syro-Phoenician woman (Mk 4,24-30). Mathew shaped this traditional story to point out the faith. The woman probably came from Tyre and Sidon areas, mostly inhabited by pagan peoples and Matthew named her by an anachronistic term Canaanite. The Canaanites lived in the Palestine areas before The Israelites, led by Joshua, won these lands. For a long time they were a threat because of their cult. The woman came to Jesus asking Him to heal her daughter possessed by a demon. After several unsuccessful attempts she finally managed to get through the cordon of Jesus’ disciples and personally pronounce her requests. Recognizing the Messiah in Him she called: Have mercy on me, o Lord, Son of David. She heard very painful words; / was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. However, the determined woman kept on crying: Lord, help me! Then she heard almost insulting words: It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. This radical response did not deter the woman who accepting her position among the Israelites asked for the crumbles that fall from the table. Jesus praised her perseverance by saying: O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire. From this moment her daughter, although he remained at home, was healed. The story of the Canaanite woman became an illustration of deep faith ready for everything. Thanks to her faith the pagan woman outside of Israel used the messianic benefits, i.e. the ‘bread’ meant for the children of the Chosen Nation. The unshaken faith of the woman made it possible for her to accept the messianic benefits, which would became available for the pagans only after the Redeeming Sacrifice was fulfilled. After His resurrection Christ who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28,18b) will send His apostles to proclaim the Good News throughout the world. This way the pagans owing to the Lord’s mercy will be able to become the participants of the God’s people eschatological feast Through stressing the Canaanite woman’s faith this narrative has become an important element in the universalistic conception of the Gospel according to Matthew.