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The Gift of Counsel, Given and Received
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 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.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples
came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after
us.” Matthew 15:21–23
At first glance, this interaction is surprising. Yet Jesus is
performing an act of love toward the Canaanite woman, while at the
same time offering an important lesson to His disciples. This act
of love and instruction is conveyed through the divine pedagogy—the
way God, as a wise and loving Teacher, draws out deeper truths
through patient instruction and testing. Jesus leads the woman
through a threefold test, each one revealing the increasing depth
of her faith.
First Test: The first test comes through Jesus’ silence. The
woman cries out from the depths of her heart, “Have pity on me,
Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” The
disciples likely watched closely to see how Jesus would respond.
When He did not answer, they misinterpreted His silence as
indifference or irritation, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps
calling out after us.” Yet the woman does not turn away. She
endures His silence, waiting patiently for Him to respond. This
shows the first fruit of her faith—perseverance in the face of
apparent rejection.
Second Test: Jesus’ next words seem to be a limitation of
His mission: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel.” As a Canaanite from Tyre and Sidon, the woman is, by all
appearances, outside the covenant people of Israel. Yet she does
not let this discourage her. Instead, she draws even nearer, does
Him homage, and pleads all the more: “Lord, help me.” Her faith
perseveres, deepening with greater humility and trust.
Third Test: Finally, Jesus presents the most difficult
challenge: “It is not right to take the food of the children and
throw it to the dogs.” His harsh words are a further invitation to
the woman to reveal her heart. Instead of taking offense or walking
away, she accepts the image and turns it into a profession of faith
and humility: “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that
fall from the table of their masters.” With this, she reveals a
beautiful trust in God’s mercy, recognizing that even the smallest
grace from Him is enough. This is precisely what Jesus was drawing
out of her—a faith that is humble, bold, persistent, and filled
with trust. At that moment, Jesus honors the depth of her faith and
boldly proclaims it for the disciples to hear: “O woman, great is
your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter
was healed instantly.
In this sacred encounter, Jesus reveals the Gift of Counsel in
action. This divine gift of the Holy Spirit, perfectly possessed
and manifested by Jesus, enables the woman to respond wisely to the
mysterious ways of God, especially when those ways are hidden or
difficult to understand. The Canaanite woman, moved by divine grace
and guided by the wise and loving pedagogy of Jesus, navigates the
trials He presents with perseverance, humility, and unwavering
trust, ultimately receiving the fullness of God’s mercy. Jesus knew
exactly what He was doing. He saw the depth of her heart and,
through this gift, skillfully drew that faith to the surface for
her own good, for her daughter’s healing, and for the instruction
of His disciples. We, too, are called to follow His example,
allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and others through the trials
of life with patient and discerning love.
Reflect today on this sacred interaction and ask the Holy Spirit to
deepen the Gift of Counsel within you, so that you may always
recognize God’s hand at work in moments of silence, testing, or
delay, and respond with faith, humility, and perseverance. Seek
this gift not only for yourself, but also so that God may use you
as an instrument of His loving guidance, leading others closer to
Him in ways that only He, in His divine wisdom, can
orchestrate.
Lord of Perfect Counsel, You teach us in many ways, always
guiding us closer to Yourself. Open my heart to Your divine
pedagogy, and teach me to persevere through every trial You permit,
so that my faith and trust in You may grow ever deeper. Bestow upon
me the Gift of Counsel, so that I may respond wisely to Your
promptings and help lead others to Your loving Heart. Use me as
Your instrument to draw souls to the truth, in ways that only You
can design. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Exorcism of the Syrophoenician Woman's Daughter, by Carl and
Franz Jobst
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