By REV. LUNA DINGAYAN
www.nordis.net

“You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you.” — Matthew 15:28
Cry of indigenous peoples

There was a loud cry coming from the mountains. Indigenous peoples came down recently to let their cry be heard by the powers-that-be. They knew for sure that if development aggression into their territorial domains would go on unhindered, their children’s future will be bleak. But unfortunately, their cry was met by the violence of the state.

Today’s indigenous peoples are marginalized in various ways. They are known as cultural minorities, national minorities, natives, tribal groups or ethnic people. Culturally, their rites, songs and dances are meant for tourism purposes, their tapestries and handicrafts for wall decors. Economically, they are given dole-outs, and their economic development are designed and implemented by the government for their sake.

Politically, they are integrated with the non-indigenous peoples so that they are taught on the ways of government. Meaning, their cry for genuine autonomy and self-determination cannot be granted because their systems are considered uncivilized and not in adherence to democratic principles.

The Canaanite woman

The woman in our Biblical text was a Canaanite (Mt. 15:21-28). Considering the fact that Palestine at that time was predominantly influenced by the Jewish culture, we can say that the Canaanite woman was considered an outcast. Yet, she came over to Jesus, because she knew for sure that he could be of help to her. She cried for mercy. She wanted healing for her daughter who was possessed by a demon.

The first response to the Canaanite woman’s cry came from the disciples. They sent her away, because she was making a lot of noise. Is this not the same response government authorities gave to the indigenous peoples in our country when they recently came down from the mountains and cried for help? Is it not true that whenever indigenous peoples would complain about land grabbing, environmental destruction and murder, their complaints in most cases are dismissed as mere noise, a disturbance to the peace and serenity of the status quo?

The second response came from Jesus himself. The Canaanite woman was told that she cannot be given attention because Jesus’ ministry was not for her but for the lost sheep of Israel. In other words, she was not supposed to be included as target of Jesus’ ministry of healing. Jesus even said to her, “It is not right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Just imagine, the Canaanite woman was likened to a dog, unworthy to receive children’s food, so to speak. In other words, her status was so low that she did not even deserve any show of mercy.

Some Christians today are also like that. They are indifferent to the cry of indigenous peoples. They are so preoccupied with their own religious activities that they don’t have time or resources intended for those who are at the margins of society, like the indigenous peoples. Perhaps, they heard the cry of indigenous peoples, but positively responding to their cry is not their concern. That perhaps is the concern of government and some non-government organizations, but definitely not them because their Christianity is strictly for religious matters.

Faith that heals

But Jesus saw the great faith of the Canaanite woman. Even when she was despised by the disciples and by Jesus himself, this woman did not lose hope. She was persistent. She firmly believed that Jesus can do something for her daughter. And so, Jesus said to the woman, “You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you”. At that very moment, her daughter was healed.

Similarly, government authorities should see the great faith of the indigenous peoples: faith that the government can do something for their miserable plight. And thus, authorities should be able say to them: “You are a people of great faith! What you want will be done for you!”

One of the reasons why children of indigenous peoples today cannot be freed from demonic forces is due to the fact that government authorities are doing what they think indigenous peoples want, and not what the indigenous peoples themselves really want to be done for them. The Canaanite woman’s daughter was healed because Jesus did what the woman wanted to be done for her daughter.

Like Jesus, government authorities should also do what the indigenous peoples would like to be done for them, so that their children would regain their self-respect and restore their lives into wholeness. In short, government authorities should view the situation of indigenous peoples from the perspective of indigenous peoples themselves. This is what self-determination is all about. # nordis.net