The Voice of Humility
By Christian Ramos and Dominic Dimapawi
August 20, 2017
August 20, 2017
“She said, ‘Please, Lord, for even the dog eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” (Matthew 15:27)
We are reminded to imitate the faith of the Canaanite woman. “And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, ‘Have pity on me, Lord, son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon!”’ - she exclaimed in grief. The humility of the woman teaches us to prove the sincerity of our faith by “coming out” and “calling out” to the Lord. This means to go out of our pride and acknowledge our lowliness before God. This highlights man’s neediness, desperate by himself, to depend on God. We cannot be called disciples without humility; and often is our tendency to boast of our abilities. Further, the woman reveres Jesus’ kingship and sovereignty by addressing him as “Lord, son of David!”, whence only after should she ask for her daughter’s healing. Finally, we are to remain persistent in our faith. Even the disciples were asking Jesus to “send her away”. But the woman responds: “… she keeps calling out after us.” Great is the reward for those who persevere with faith in God. Hence, Our Lord says “Let it be done for you as you wish.”
One time, while I was eating with a close friend, we suddenly found ourselves talking about fears. I asked what her greatest fear was and she told me that it was the fear of failure. It wasn't just the kind of failure you get when you get a score lower than passing or an unsuccessful plan. She was afraid of failing at life, her family, her friends, and, possibly the heaviest among them all, herself. But despite this, she greatly excels at what she does. She's a great leader with a kind heart, a creative artist with a taste for the vintage and classics, a loyal friend who'll stay by you, and a person who will surely inspire you.
It then dawned upon me that people like her don't get to where they are in an instant. Rather, they strived and toiled, made mistakes and heavy sacrifices, went through the long, confusing, and tiring journey alone, sometimes with friends, but that's not always the case. It amazes me whenever I witness a person like her, a person who is determined, inspirational, and incredible.
I couldn't help but ask myself the question, what did they do to be this amazing? She never did tell me why or how, but she did show me. Her art showed me two things, one was pain and beside it was faith. And it isn't the kind of pain we get over in a day or a week. It is the kind that greets you in the morning and keeps you awake at night, the kind that stops you from truly trying, from investing, from trusting, and from believing, even in God. Yet it was faith that brought their weary hearts to rest, the ill to health, the empty to whole. And it isn't just their faith in God that gave them refuge, but also the faith they have in themselves and in others.
They held onto that faith even when things got rough or when everything was too much. Believing that things will get better, that they will achieve what they seek, even if there is no guarantee that relief will come soon or that the way will be easy, they will continue unendingly. And I think that's what makes them inspiring. It was never just their achievements or their talents and skill, but it was their will to make their dreams a reality. The capacity and spirit to actually make what they want become what they have. They are, after all, dreamers and makers.
I guess that's what the Gospel is trying to tell us, that our faith, even if it is so little and weak, can go a long way. And maybe, while you're on your way, you get to spark the flame of another, enkindling them to walk as well.
We are reminded to imitate the faith of the Canaanite woman. “And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, ‘Have pity on me, Lord, son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon!”’ - she exclaimed in grief. The humility of the woman teaches us to prove the sincerity of our faith by “coming out” and “calling out” to the Lord. This means to go out of our pride and acknowledge our lowliness before God. This highlights man’s neediness, desperate by himself, to depend on God. We cannot be called disciples without humility; and often is our tendency to boast of our abilities. Further, the woman reveres Jesus’ kingship and sovereignty by addressing him as “Lord, son of David!”, whence only after should she ask for her daughter’s healing. Finally, we are to remain persistent in our faith. Even the disciples were asking Jesus to “send her away”. But the woman responds: “… she keeps calling out after us.” Great is the reward for those who persevere with faith in God. Hence, Our Lord says “Let it be done for you as you wish.”
One time, while I was eating with a close friend, we suddenly found ourselves talking about fears. I asked what her greatest fear was and she told me that it was the fear of failure. It wasn't just the kind of failure you get when you get a score lower than passing or an unsuccessful plan. She was afraid of failing at life, her family, her friends, and, possibly the heaviest among them all, herself. But despite this, she greatly excels at what she does. She's a great leader with a kind heart, a creative artist with a taste for the vintage and classics, a loyal friend who'll stay by you, and a person who will surely inspire you.
It then dawned upon me that people like her don't get to where they are in an instant. Rather, they strived and toiled, made mistakes and heavy sacrifices, went through the long, confusing, and tiring journey alone, sometimes with friends, but that's not always the case. It amazes me whenever I witness a person like her, a person who is determined, inspirational, and incredible.
I couldn't help but ask myself the question, what did they do to be this amazing? She never did tell me why or how, but she did show me. Her art showed me two things, one was pain and beside it was faith. And it isn't the kind of pain we get over in a day or a week. It is the kind that greets you in the morning and keeps you awake at night, the kind that stops you from truly trying, from investing, from trusting, and from believing, even in God. Yet it was faith that brought their weary hearts to rest, the ill to health, the empty to whole. And it isn't just their faith in God that gave them refuge, but also the faith they have in themselves and in others.
They held onto that faith even when things got rough or when everything was too much. Believing that things will get better, that they will achieve what they seek, even if there is no guarantee that relief will come soon or that the way will be easy, they will continue unendingly. And I think that's what makes them inspiring. It was never just their achievements or their talents and skill, but it was their will to make their dreams a reality. The capacity and spirit to actually make what they want become what they have. They are, after all, dreamers and makers.
I guess that's what the Gospel is trying to tell us, that our faith, even if it is so little and weak, can go a long way. And maybe, while you're on your way, you get to spark the flame of another, enkindling them to walk as well.