20th Sunday - Fr. Leo

Jesus seems quite mean when he says to the Canaanite woman, “it is not right to take the food of children and feed it to the dogs.”  To understand these words, we must put them into context and see that it is a literary way of making a point.  First, Matthew’s Gospel is written for the Jews who viewed Canaanites as enemies.  So Jesus saying, “it is not right” gets by-in from the hearers of the gospel.

What is significant is Jesus’ response to the Canaanite woman after her plea, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”  Jesus acknowledges her great faith and cures her daughter.  The lesson is that Jesus will help all who call upon him.  Something Matthew’s audience would have had a hard time with.  This parable is very effective and anticipates Jesus’ directive at the end of the gospel to go out and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  

The inclusiveness of Jesus is something we as Christians need to be very mindful of.  When faith gets commandeered by politics it moves away from Christ in its hatred and exclusivity.  This is a problem for all believers, especially for Christians.  Christ died for all, as St. Paul taught, not for an elite few.