In light of last week's lesson and Peter openly questioning the Word I'm wondering if this weeks lesson isn't the antithesis. Peter doubted and approach God with and "if" faith. The Canaanite woman is resolute and approaches God (the Son) with humility and tenacity. She never assumes that God will heal here daughter. She doesn't come in such a way as to assume that she has some sort of right to God's favor. Her language is "Lord" and "master" and "have mercy" not, "if you are who you say you are then heal my daughter."
One of the reasons I am still a fan of the Rite I service of Holy Eucharist (sorry, lots of inside speak there) is that it approaches God with humility and tenacity. It begs that God might hear our prayer rather than assuming that God will do whatever we ask (see Enriching our Worship for that drivel).
I think we will incorporate the Prayer of Humble Access into our service this week (in modern English of course). It will give us a chance to ponder what it is to gather crumbs from the heavenly banquet, and perhaps offer us a reminder of how we are to approach the altar and how we are to approach God.
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