From the Friars: Of Dogs and Children

The readings for Mass today have a common theme of God’s plan of choosing one people as a first step towards a universal Kingdom. The Canaanites were the ancient enemies of Israel and it is a Canaanite woman that cries out to Jesus for help in the Gospel reading. The disciples just want to get rid of her. Our Lord reminds them that His mission is first to the Jews. They are the chosen people of the covenants. But as the passage from Isaiah and Psalm 67 show, God’s plan from the beginning was to offer salvation to all peoples.

Jesus seems harsh towards the woman, calling her a dog which was an insult some Jews used for other races. But He uses the diminutive which, said with a smile or friendly tone, could be understood in a kind or even humorous way. The woman persists, following Our Lord’s lead, responding with a humble but clever remark of her own. Now Jesus praises her faith and grants her request. The incident is a small but important step in the coming transition to the universal Kingdom. The seed and beginning of this is the Catholic Church.

The shoe is on the other foot, so to speak, in the passage from Romans where St. Paul talks about the apparent rejection of the Jews in favor of the Gentiles. He writes after the early Church had made a clear separation from the Jewish faith. But his point is that the chosen people are not definitively excluded because “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” (Rom 11:29) Earlier the Apostle writes that “all Israel will be saved” (v.26) The Church teaches that the conversion of the Jewish people will be one of the signs of the end of the world. (CCC674)

Learning about how the Creator’s plan of redemption and salvation comes about in history can help us to be more grateful for the great gift of our faith. It should also help us also have a greater charity toward those who do not know Jesus or His Church.

Let us imitate the humble but great faith and charity of the Canaanite woman, crying out “Have pity on us Lord, Son of David!”

God bless you.

— Fr. Peter