Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

When the Canaanite woman in today’s gospel passage came to Jesus looking for healing for her daughter, Jesus says to her, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs” (Mt 15: 26). I can’t imagine Jesus being so prejudiced as to call an entire people “dogs.” This passage does not make sense especially if we consider that Jesus was very inclusive of all cultures otherwise. We think of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman and how he offered her living waters. We think of how he appreciated the Good Samaritan in his parables as an example in charity. We think of how the pagan woman who was sick for twelve years was healed just by touching the hem of his garment. We think of the Roman centurion whose son was healed by Jesus purely by his word. Jesus commended his faith. In the context such inclusiveness that Jesus exhibited, today’s comments do not make sense. So why does he call the people of Israel children and non-Israelites dogs? In attempting to answer the question I would like to begin with the first reading. It seems to me that in this passage Isaiah is more inclusive than some people are even by today’s standards. Isaiah foresaw the time where differences of nationality, race or class would cease to be a barrier to worship. (Is 56:6-7)

Passages such as the one that we have in today's gospel passage are meant to ease the tension between the Jews and gentiles. On the one hand, today’s passage reflects the attitude of the average Israelite at the time of Jesus. But on the other hand, Jesus’ ultimate fulfilling of the Canaanite woman’s wishes indicates Jesus’ rejection of the existing prejudices. Jesus accepted those outside the Jewish tradition and considered them worthy of God’s love and mercy. Jesus broke the artificial barriers that human beings create. To the non-Israelites such as the Samaritans, Canaanites, and Romans; to the outcasts such as lepers and those possessed by demons; to the sinners such as the adulterous woman, the tax-collectors and the prostitute who was possessed by a legion; Jesus gave them the dignity of being created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus did not approve of the sin neither did he never deprive them of their human dignity.

If the past human history is any indication human beings were afraid of differences and did not deal with it right. There was a time when women did not vote. There was a time when some were slaves and others master. There was a time when there were higher castes and lower castes. There was a time when there was upper class and lower class. We do not have much to be proud about. The greater shame is that some of these sins continue.

The practical challenge for us is to put on the mind of Isaiah and Christ. We must overcome the prejudices that exist in our midst and allow God’s light to shine through.


- Fr. Satish Joseph