Even The Dogs Get The Scraps

August 8, 2018

So, today's Gospel is one of those confusing ones that may make you think that Jesus was being a bit of a jerk. Here are my personal thoughts on the matter. 

Because this woman was a Canaanite, the fact that she addressed him as "Lord, Son of David" automatically let Jesus know that her faith was pretty darn big. Canaanite's and Jews were not the best of friends; yet, this woman knew that He was the Messiah. So, she had already professed her faith in a big way and Jesus knew the significance of this. He was trying to send a message to his Apostles because they, unlike her, did not know what was up (yet). They were actually annoyed by her persistence. 

I think Jesus' next few comments were all planned to bait the Apostles and to show them how limited their understanding was of Him and for whom He was sent. He knew that the woman's faith was strong enough to engage even though he was saying things that seemed a little rude. For example, "I was ONLY sent for the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Again, knowing that this woman's faith would take the bait, she showed persistence (which is a great lesson for us in our prayer life - be persistent), "Lord, help me." 

Now, this next line is the real zinger and you can almost picture him saying it directly to the Apostles "It is not right to take the food of the CHILDREN and throw it to the dogs." Jesus probably said this sentence in such a way to emphasize the ridiculousness of it. In other words, Apostles, you are acting like spoiled children right now and you need to hear exactly how off the mark you are. And the Canaanite woman played along like a pro. "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Bam!!! And Jesus was like, ding, ding, ding, right answer!!! A perfect set up to a deep theological reality, that Jesus came to save all, ALL, not some. Might I add here, that it was a foreign (Canaanite) woman that moved Jesus to teach this extremely important message. Raise your hand if you know any persistent faithful women and if their prayers seem to have this same kind of impact. Today Jesus reminds us that faithful women bend His ear in a very special way.  

His grace and mercy are for everyone and when we proclaim that He is the Christ, when we are persistent in our faith, and when we remember that His mercy is bigger than our sin, then we will enjoy the peace and joy that comes from knowing that we are made for so much more. Again, these are just my personal thoughts on the matter. What are yours?

We are all welcomed into the kingdom of God and there are no scraps to be offered, only the most delicious, the most lovely, the most wonderful, the most abundant, the most special, and the most delightful things that our merciful loving God has and wants to lavish upon us. Have a persistent in faith kind of day and it is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
Lectionary: 409

Reading 1 JER 31:1-7

At that time, says the LORD,
I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel,
and they shall be my people.
Thus says the LORD:
The people that escaped the sword
have found favor in the desert.
As Israel comes forward to be given his rest,
the LORD appears to him from afar:
With age-old love I have loved you;
so I have kept my mercy toward you.
Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt,
O virgin Israel;
Carrying your festive tambourines,
you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits.
Yes, a day will come when the watchmen
will call out on Mount Ephraim:
"Rise up, let us go to Zion,
to the LORD, our God."

For thus says the LORD:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:
The LORD has delivered his people,
the remnant of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm JEREMIAH 31:10, 11-12AB, 13

R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the LORD's blessings.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy.
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock

Alleluia LK 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 15: 21-28

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."
He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And her daughter was healed from that hour.