Reflect today on your own humility before God

But the woman came and paid him homage, saying: "Lord, help me." He replied in response: "It is not fair to take children's food and throw it to dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their owners' table." Matthew 15: 25-27

Did Jesus really imply that helping this woman was like throwing food to dogs? Most of us would have been very offended by what Jesus said because of our pride. But what he said was true and he was not rude in any way. Jesus obviously can't be rude. However, his statement has the superficial aspect of being rude.

First, let's take a look at how true his statement is. Jesus was asking Jesus to come and heal his daughter. Basically, Jesus tells her that she does not deserve this grace anyway. And this is true. No more than a dog deserves to be fed from the table do we deserve God's grace. Although this is a shocking way to say it, Jesus says it this way in order to first illustrate the truth of our sinful and unworthy plight. And this woman takes it.

Second, Jesus' statement allows this woman to react with the utmost humility and faith. His humility is seen in the fact that he does not deny the parallel with a dog eating from the table. Rather, he humbly points out that dogs eat leftovers too. Wow, this is humility! In fact, we can be sure that Jesus spoke to her in this somewhat humiliating way because he knew how humble he was and knew that he would react by letting her humility shine in order to manifest her faith. She was not offended by the humble truth of her unworthiness; rather, he embraced her and also sought God's abundant mercy despite his unworthiness.

Humility has the potential to unleash faith, and faith unleashes God's mercy and power. In the end, Jesus speaks for all to hear, "Oh woman, great is your faith!" Her faith was manifested and Jesus took the opportunity to honor her for that humble faith.

Reflect today on your own humility before God. How would you have reacted if Jesus had spoken to you in this way? Would you have been humble enough to recognize your unworthiness? If so, would you even have enough faith to invoke God's mercy despite your unworthiness? These wonderful qualities go hand in hand (humility and faith) and unleash God's mercy!

Sir, I am unworthy. Help me see it. Help me see that I don't deserve your grace in my life. But in that humble truth, I can also recognize your abundance of mercy and never fear to invoke mercy on you. Jesus I believe in you.