Gospel Contemplation: Jesus Encounters the Canaanite Woman

Gospel Contemplation is a way of praying that St. Ignatius proposes quite frequently in his Spiritual Exercises. You are invited to use your imagination to enter the scene, to take part, to let the scene unfold. As Ignatius suggests, notice the people, listen to them, watch what they do [SE, 106, 107, 108]. Perhaps you may sense an invitation to be one of the individuals in the scene and engage in a conversation with one of them. You can do this on your own, or use the text below as a guide.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the scene. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text or your imaginative contemplation.

If at any point during the guided contemplation your imagination comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written contemplation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

The region of Tyre and Sidon is north of the Sea of Galilee, where we last saw Jesus. The city of Tyre is 25 miles north and Sidon is 50 miles north, along the Mediterranean shore. It is Gentile territory – Jesus is not at home here the way he is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. It is, however, the home of the Canaanite woman, and somehow she has heard of this foreigner and recognizes him for who he is. Jesus and the woman engage in a type of verbal sparring that might not be familiar or comfortable to us, depending on the image we have of Jesus. However, this type of back-and-forth seems very familiar to Jesus and was likely part his culture.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for the whatever it is you might need in this time of prayer.

Read the passage slowly, savoring the words and beginning to imagine the scene. Read it twice if that helps you to visualize it.

Arriving in the region of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus has walked a long way. Can you see him and the disciples, walking on the road? Are they in a town or in the countryside? What is the day like? Is it warm or cool – is the sky clear or cloudy? Place yourself there, with the disciples or perhaps along the road. Where are you in this scene? Notice everything around you that you can see, hear, taste, smell, and feel.

Suddenly, from behind you comes a cry, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” You look at Jesus, but he does not respond. The woman continues to call out. A few disciples finally urge Jesus to send her away. When he doesn’t, she kneels before him in homage and begs for help. Listen and watch as they go back and forth, as he bats away her plea in what might be a teasing but assertive manner. Pay attention to how this conversation affects you.

Finally, the Canaanite wins the debate. Has this ever happened before? Jesus seems delighted, and grants her request, praising her faith.

How are you moved by this interaction? Is there something you’d like to request of Jesus, a bold desire that requires some daring on your part to voice? Or perhaps you are more affected by Jesus’ willingness to be convinced to think differently. However this conversation has touched you, spend a few moments with that, interacting as you like with the people in this scene.

And now, take some time to talk with Jesus about what you have felt and experienced. Talk with him as with a friend, sharing and listening. And when you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.