Window 6

The center window in the middle group of three on the south side illustrates the Bible reading in Matthew 15:21-28 for the second Sunday in Lent.  It tells of a woman whose daughter was healed by Jesus.  The window shows him in the act of blessing the woman for her remarkable faith.  Behind him a few disciples come into view.  Kneeling in front of him is the woman and, beside her, two small dogs.

The story tells of Jesus and the disciples making a journey to the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.  Very likely Jesus made the trip to get much needed rest.  But even in this foreign territory a Gentile woman recognized him, called him the Son of David, the promised Lord, and entreated him to heal her demon-possessed daughter.

Though Jesus seemed to rebuff her three times, she would not be put off.  When she fell on her knees in front of him, his last blow was the hardest.  “It is not right,” he told her, “to take the food meant for the family and throw it to dogs.”  Now the woman exhibited her masterpiece of faith.  “What you say, Lord, is true,” she declared, “but the house pets get the crumbs which fall from the table.”   Overwhelmed by such a faith, Jesus praised her and granted her prayer.  The window summarizes the story.  There is Jesus with his disciples.  There is the kneeling woman and, beside her, two small dogs.