One of the most misunderstood stories in Jesus’ teachings is the encounter with the Canaanite Woman, found in Matthew 15:21-28. Picture this: a mom’s heart is heavy with the anguish of her sick and dying daughter. She pleads with Jesus to heal her.
The scene is tense. Jesus seems to ignore the woman, and His disciples are dismissive. Tension heightens when Jesus uses an idiom that, on the surface, appears to compare the woman to dogs. But there’s a deeper layer to this story that we need to uncover.
Unwavering Search for Answers
The desperate yet unwavering Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the “Son of David”—a remarkable profession of faith (Matthew 15:22).
Jesus responds with shocking words: “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to dogs” (Matthew 15:26). Yet her reply is both humble and profound: “Yes, Lord, for even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (Matthew 15:27).
At this moment, many might recoil, misinterpreting Jesus’ words as harsh. But let’s consider the cultural context and the original language. Jesus uses the term “κυνάρια” (kunaria), which means little dogs or pets, not the derogatory “κύνες” (kunes) for street dogs. The woman, understanding the metaphor, responds with faith and humility, not offense.
This interaction is about persistent, humble faith. Most importantly, it is about choosing to receive not on the merits of our actions but on the giver’s generosity.
The Faith that Jesus Acknowledges
Let’s consider the metaphor of pet dogs for a moment. Pet dogs are adorable, aren’t they? They are among the most loyal creatures. The pain of losing one’s dog can be torturous. I’ve been there.
Dogs respond through classical conditioning or reinforcement. Training wires their brains to expect a reward for desirable actions. Those creatures are well-behaved in the house because they are coached to act in specific ways and receive certain treats. In the dog’s brain, their actions merit the reward. But faith is not like that, and the woman gets it.
Jesus acknowledges her great faith that doesn’t feel entitled and grants her request. “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Matthew 15:28). Her perseverance and humility are lessons for us all.
From Dogs to Woman
The Lord calls her “ O woman,” and the tone from the context suggests a similar emphasis as when the Lord spoke to His mother, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Then follows the miracle of the gift of wine, which also symbolizes the pouring of his blood on the cross for all to heal. Neither the wedding host nor guests deserve the finest wine, nor do we deserve the grace pouring from Christ’s offering on Calvary’s cross.
It reveals the rich truth of faith that the Lord would endorse the woman. It is a clear message to all who believe they are entitled in “the house.” “O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:28).
Why is the Canaanite woman accepted? Simple: She has a humble and a persistent faith, not the expectation of reward.
The Humility of the Eucharist
Now, envision the Eucharist—the profound humility of God in the form of bread and wine. Nothing is more marginal or astonishing. Christ pours Himself—body, soul, and divinity, in this great sacrament of the Eucharist.
Ponder that Our Lord and God takes the form of perishable bread and wine. That we can consume him and, for priest—with unholy hands—lift him. Nothing beats the gesture of divine humility in the God who stooped so low as to become man. And exultation lies in this radical divine comedy of dying to rise.
Here lies the essence of this divine invitation: unless we die to ourselves, we cannot fully become who God calls us to be. We cannot receive heavenly, boundless graces unless we relinquish all claims to our merited rewards. This dying is not about losing our identity but living for His glory. We give up our claims to entitlement, to have the fullness of grace.
Humility transcends modesty; it is about embracing a lower form of ourselves. Authenticity is being genuine about who we are, while humility is accepting the place of the lesser. Faith, therefore, is an invitation to humble acceptance.
The Deeper Context: Who are the Children in the House?
Who, then, are the children in “the house of Israel” that Jesus speaks of? The “children” refers to the chosen race, or as the context suggests, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). But if the sheep are lost, are they still in the house?
Jesus takes a clear, immediate case and guides us to something more profound. The house is the house of His Father. Its spiritual significance is the reality of covenanted people the Lord has chosen as His own. It is all who are invited to the divine covenant.
Jesus speaks of the house in many ways, saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it” (John 2:19). The house is Himself and His kingdom. The kingdom’s children have access to that house through the covenant God makes with His people. These metaphors go deeper.
What, then, is the Lord saying? All who are invited to the feast of the Lamb, the eternal covenant of His love, must show acceptance of the invitation. This acceptance isn’t a matter of birthright or the fact that I am human and deserve it. No one has a right over it. Neither the Jews, Catholics, Evangelicals, nor indeed all religions have the right to salvation. It is granted as divine grace. The humble and those who relinquish all entitlement syndrome receive it in faith. Here lies the central message of this text.
The Growth of Faith and the Liturgy
The Canaanite woman’s faith matures through perseverance. Imagine her, a beacon of hope and resilience. Faith grows when we tune into God’s revelation, paying attention to His nudges whispered through idioms, parables, metaphors, and unfamiliar events. This divine language nurtures uncommon faith.
Faith deepens in worship. Worship is about surrendering to the undeserving, lavish love of the divine in adoration, as the Canaanite woman did. We experience God in tangible signs and symbols, yet the profound mystery of His presence surpasses what the eye can see.
Observe the Church’s liturgy, where the mysteries of faith unfold before us. It is powerful and captivating, an exemplary display of heavenly language that nurtures deep faith. The Canaanite woman stands as a true heroine of undaunted faith and worship of the Christ.
We should all aspire to have faith that connects with God’s logic and understands the story behind the story. The key is humble acceptance and grace.
May we seek the faith of the Canaanite woman, a faith that is persistent, humble, and deeply connected to the mysteries of God’s revelation. Amen.
God love you. God bless you.
Fr. Maurice Emelu
[Wednesday, Week 18 Ordinary Time: Jeremiah 31:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28]
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