Evangelist St.Matthew invites us to think about the relations between faiths. Matthew. It describes a dialogue between Jesus and a confident Canaanite woman. In the end, Jesus tells the Gentile woman: “Woman, great is your faith” (Mt 15:28).
During his public ministry, Jesus did not avoid “the vicinity of Tire and Sidon” (Mt 15:21), which was the land of the Gentiles. Jesus wanted to rest. Evangelists Matthew (15:21-28) and Mark (7:24-30) describe the meeting of Jesus with a Gentile woman, a Syrophoenician woman, who, when she learns that Jesus of Nazareth is there, rushes and calls to Jesus to heal her daughter , who is “horribly tormented by an evil spirit”. The woman must have heard about Jesus, who he is, what he is, because she calls him “Son of David.” From what she hears, the woman deduces that the one who works miracles can be none other than the promised son of David, the Messiah, who can help her, which the buckwheat believes. The behavior of Jesus towards the woman is surprising. He is silent. We explain this by saying that although Jesus is not merciless or indifferent to the suffering of people, Jesus has not yet received an instruction from the Father. Therefore, the obedience of Jesus to the Father is even more than the compassion and goodness of his heart. Jesus always does only what the Father wants. Jesus listens to the voice of the Father more than to his own heart. The behavior of the disciples seems more merciful, but it is only apparent. The apostles want peace from the screaming woman. Jesus’ reaction is calm, although the words he says are another surprise: “I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 15:24). Jesus came to help. However, he must not show his inner powers, he is a model of obedience to the Father’s will. The Father himself makes sure that the world recognizes the prophesied and expected Messiah in Jesus. He also uses the behavior of a pagan woman, a mother. The woman cannot be deterred by Jesus’ silence. There is a dialogue where Jesus does not want to offend by comparing: “It is not good to take bread from children and throw it to puppies” (Mt 15:26), although it may sound presumptuous, condescending. The woman understands this from God’s inspiration, which is revealed by her further behavior and words:
The woman thinks: if the puppies were so full that the children would have to starve, I would certainly have to give up my request. Since even children and puppies can be satisfied, I will not stop begging because there is plenty on the table, and crumbs fall from the table.
Here the light begins to dawn, tearing apart the darkness that was between Israel, the Jews, and on the other hand, the Gentiles. Although the nation hated Jesus and cut off his life, Jesus loved the country, and on the other hand, persistent faith makes a pagan woman courageous. The words say about it: “Woman, great is your faith! Let it happen to you as you wish.” And from that hour her daughter was healthy” (Mt 15,28). The woman respected Jesus’ will; she only begged him, she does not force him, and Jesus’ goodness did not lag behind her faith. That’s why he calls her “big.” Such faith is excellent, which seeks great grace from Christ. God reveals it to the little ones and has hidden it from the wise. The buckwheat woman solved the mystery over which the masters, the teachers of Israel, became fools. God came to save all people. God came as a Jew, but the promise is to be fulfilled by the chosen nation and every person so that not only the children of Israel will be fed with his bread but also puppies. The apostles already do this at the beginning after the council in Jerusalem when Peter goes among the scattered Jews and Paul among the Gentiles.
We should learn from a mother’s love that true love is not offended by condescending or rejecting words—Vice versa. Love decides. Deeds follow love. Just talking is not enough when actions prove otherwise.
Patriarch Michal Cerularius was a passionate man when in 1053, he had all Latin Rite churches closed in Constantinople. Likewise, the papal legate was quick to excommunicate the patriarch. This is where the split between East and West began. The behavior of two church dignitaries brought a lot of sin, evil, pain, tears, and lives into the history of nations, churches, and people. Similar behavior of the English king Henry VIII.
Disputes between brothers may arise, but they can be resolved sooner where there is love. Postponing arguments, unwillingness to listen to others, and destruction of love destroy the most valuable thing: God in people. Today we have differences with some Eastern churches: regarding the “filioque,” the doctrine of whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Son. The West believes in the Nicene-Constantinople Creed that the Holy Spirit proceeds from God and the Son. Furthermore, today we have differences in the preparation of the feast of unleavened bread. They deny the effects of epiclesis, receiving under both modes, teaching about purgatory, indulgences, and rewards of the righteous before the resurrection of the body and the last judgment. We have different views on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary or the Roman primacy of the Pope.
The Second Vatican Council took fundamental steps toward understanding and unity. Rome is building new relations and attitudes towards the Eastern separate churches and the Western Protestant Christian churches. Rome’s attitude towards the Jews also changed. It is not easy, and it is impossible to quickly remove, explain, forget, and forgive what has been recognized, avoided, or destroyed for centuries, almost a thousand years. The relationship to the sacraments, their interpretation, and teaching, starting with baptism and ending with the priesthood, requires many meetings in goodwill and studies.
We are witnessing that love expressed with true love and justice is already bearing fruit. Initially, it was an invitation to the council by Pope John XXIII. Several representatives of churches separated from Rome came to it. Meetings of the Popes, Paul VI, John Paul I, and especially John Paul II followed. with representatives of churches worldwide. It was not only in Assisi but also in the apostolic journeys of the popes and the Vatican. Contacts are managed by established papal councils for dialogue with non-believers and other religions to promote Christian unity.
The story tells about a talented violinist who always captivates the audience with his playing. Before his concert in a particular city, an article about him was published in the local newspaper. The last line was: “Come hear the otherworldly sound of the precious violin.” The concert hall was filled. The artist fulfilled the audience’s expectations with his performance. There was thunderous applause after each song. But something unexpected happened. The violinist stopped playing at one point. He grabbed the violin and hit it against the back of the chair. The violin was destroyed. The audience froze. The violinist looked silently into the auditorium for a moment before saying, “I can imagine how you feel, but it was inevitable. See this ruined violin? It was only $50!” Then he took the other violin and continued, “Now I’m going to play this instrument. It’s my favorite violin, a precious violin that cost $50,000. I want you to understand that music depends not on the instrument but on the player.” After these words, he continued the concert. In the hands of the master, the cheap violin equaled the expensive one. Music does not depend on the instrument but on the player.
The lesson that this violinist gave to his audience may lead us to think differently. The music of ecumenism may not sound too sweet. Maybe sometimes we sigh: If I had such and such qualities and talents, I could do much more for God, the Church, and the spread of God’s kingdom. However, such attitudes are harmful. They prevent us from offering the little we have to God, the greatest artist. At the same time, even with a little, a beautiful work can be created in his hands.
Jesus fulfilled his mission. He prayed for one sheepfold and one shepherd. Today, no one knows how ecumenism will move forward. We must continue what unites us. The example of the woman in the Gospel encourages all who believe in Christ to put aside the sin of disunity we inherited. The effort to live with Christ, to fulfill his teaching so that everyone is saved, is based on faith as a theory and concrete acts of love. Do not despise anyone for faith. Do not forcibly join a particular rite. Do not buy, and do not intimidate for faith. Respect the freedom of decision to the ceremony.
The Church prays not only on Good Friday but also for unbelievers, believers of other faiths, and Jews, whom we accept as older brothers in faith.
Looking at and correctly understanding the parable of the Lord Jesus about children and puppies can suggest many examples.
It happened in southern Italy’s Bari. Seven newly hatched puppies fell into the canal. Their mother couldn’t enter the channel, so she stood on the grate and whimpered, crying like dogs cry. She knew they were there, but she couldn’t get to them. She didn’t know what to do and was at a loss. When a person saw this, he realized what had happened and took action. He uncovered the grating on the channel and began to pull them out. The mother cleaned them with her tongue. He pulled out six of them. There was no way he could pull out the seventh. Finally, he was helped by his mother, who miraculously pulled out her cub in her mouth. They filmed the action, and it attracted mass media attention. She evoked great emotions. She showed people a dog that loves and is loyal to its young.
God didn’t stop loving us even though we were separated. We talk about ourselves: he is an Arab, he is a Jew, he is a Christian, even an Easterner, and a Westerner, or even more, a Protestant. However, we have one God, although we call him Yahweh, Allah, or God. What divides us, divides us, is an insult to God. God, who is Love, wants our union. How? What kind? How to? It is not easy to give an answer and to translate, to realize what God wants from us. However, it is possible. The important thing is that we know that God wants it. It requires goodwill, understanding, respect, and especially love from each side.
We all have the opportunity to try to make amends with our possibilities here in Slovakia as well. It requires a tremendous and living faith, which we can already ask for at this Holy Mass.
