Humiliation of Mother

Mt 15:21-28

 

1. Today we celebrate Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis gave her mother’s favorite flower, carnation to each person who attended at her mother’s memorial service on May 10, 1908. This custom quickly spread and President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day in 1914 for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Further, it was adopted around the world, because mother is so loved by every human being in the world!

2. A mother is the most indebted person in human life and therefore the most beloved person in our life. We are born from our mother’s womb and raised by her love and sacrifice. Mother’s love has no condition and limit at all.

3. A Canaanite mother came to Jesus, “crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.’”(22) But, “Jesus did not answer a word.”(23) He might be testing for her true faith. She kept crying to Jesus. Further, she knelt before him and begged him: “Lord, help me!”(25) She was identifying her and her child. A mother is one who simply cannot separate her life with her children’s life. A mother gives everything for her children in her whole life. Therefore, even though she does not demand it, we have to pay back as much as we can. So, God commanded us to honor our father and mother. We cannot be right before God if we are not right with our parents. What does our mother want from us? Some fancy and expensive gift? Some children wondered and asked their 80 years old mother what she wants. She wrote a letter to them: “What I truly want are things I can never get enough of, yet they are free.” She wanted simply their coming and sitting with her relaxed, talking or silent, just being together. If more, patience for repeating, forgetting, spilling, losing, and understanding for elderly behaviors. When we were young, our mother was always patient, understanding, and always being together. Love her with more words, more touch, and more generosity as much as you can before she departs us. She identified herself with you, and why do you separate yourself from her?

4. The Canaanite mother was further tested how great her love and faith is. Jesus challenged her with some humiliating words: “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.”(26) If a father is told this kind of word, he might be upset and left him. But a mother was different. She accepted this humiliation for the benefit of her child, and replied to Jesus: “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”(27) It is a very powerful confession of mother’s love and this kind of response is made only by mother. Whatever she suffers, a mother accepts humiliation if it is beneficial to her child. Jesus praised her faith and love: “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”; “And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”(27)

5. A mother accepts such an extreme humiliation simply because she loves her child limitlessly. Whatever they say about her child, a mother has an endless and unconditional faith in her child. God gave such a mother to every human being because a child needs mother’s love and protection against any threat. Therefore, mother may not give up her child in any situation. This Canaanite mother did never give up. When Edison was a schoolboy, his teacher sent him home with this note: “Your child is dumb. We can’t do anything for him.” Mrs. Edison wrote back: “You do not understand my boy. I will teach him myself.” And she did. What was the result? A mother does not give up even though everybody else gives up. A newspaper reported yesterday that Mary Capozzi of Buffalo has prayed everyday at church for 22 years after his son was imprisoned with rape conviction. She believed his son’s innocence and he was finally freed after DNA test proved his innocence. Even though young Augustine was so spoiled and ruined, Monica did not give up but continued to pray for him. Finally, he was changed form sinner to saint. So, there is a famous saying: “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.” When God gave a child to you, he had a precious will for your child. In any situation, God may not fail! Mother may not fail! Whatever problem your child has or however bad his present condition is, mothers, don’t give up your child! It is your holy task to protect and believe your child and fulfill the will of God for your child!

6. God blessed us by giving such a wonderful mother for us! Without our mother we cannot exist. Without our mother’s sacrificial love we cannot become what we are now. For we are created in the image of God who is love and our salvation is to restore our love, a mother is our best example and guide for us to understand the agape love of God. Motherhood is challenged today from many directions. But it is the hope of humanity, for the world will be darkened with the weakening of motherhood. May God richly bless our mothers and our children’s mothers! Amen.