Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison

Matthew 15 : 21 - 28

Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! ....even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.

I have found that "Lord, have mercy" is one of the most authentic prayers when it comes from our hearts (that means not merely recited without any connection with our hearts). I think I do not cry out to the Lord this way often enough. My prayers of petition and intercession are sometimes too 'mild', almost too 'polite'. It is not that I have never faced such a dire situation as the Canaanite woman. In my own way, I have. But perhaps I sometimes forget who I am and my relationship with the One I am asking. I forget that I am truly weak and dependent on the One I ask from. I am always in need of help and mercy. Perhaps at times I forget that I am loved much and that the Lord desires to give me good things in order that I may know him better and follow him more closely.

The prayer cry also rests on Who Jesus truly is. The Canaanite woman addressed Jesus as Lord three times. She knew her place as a Gentile 'foreigner' and yet her need led her in faith to Jesus. In contrast, many in Israel who were 'privileged' by being God's chosen people in salvation history failed to respond in faith. As Christians we are privileged to have a restored relationship with God. I wonder how often we have the faith and courage to name (acknowledge ) and bring to Jesus our deepest needs. We are privileged to cry out as persistently as the woman did. I will remember this as I learn to plead with all my heart for situations in my own life and in the lives of those I hold in prayer.

As I sat in prayer today, the Lord brought to mind how my prayer for my kidney condition has changed. I started off several years ago so anxious that my prayer was largely self-focused. As time has gone by, my prayer "Lord, have mercy" has taken on a different tone. Although I have not received complete physical healing, I experience the peace of the Lord and my focus is on his merciful love that I trust will sustain me at all times, in all situations.

Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison

Kyrie eleison, eleison, eleison.

In my breath and in my breathing

In my laughter and my labour

Full of joy, or spent in grieving

I call upon you, God.

In my song and in my silence

In my faith and in my doubting

In my courage and my weakness

I call upon you, God.

You who know my secret failings

You who touch my deepest feelings

Know me well and still you love me

I call upon you, God.

No one else's love can raise me

No one else's touch can heal me

No one else's voice can free me

I call upon you, God.

(first four stanzas of the song 'Kyrie' by Marty Haugen; album: Gift of God)