READINGS AT MASS TODAY
Is. 55:1, 6-7
Psalm 67
Rom. 11:13-15, 29-32
Matt. 15:21-28
Theme: DOGS EATING BREAD
Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...
In His encounter with the Canaanite woman in our Gospel text for today, Jesus, directly or indirectly referred to her as a 'dog' when He said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Mt. 15:26). First century Jews called Gentiles, and especially Canaanites, dogs. No matter how hard scholars tried to tone it down, it never became a pleasant statement. The expression is a terrible and extremely humiliating insult. (Read 2 Sam 16:9, 2 Sam 9:8).
To compare humans to dogs or to call them so is to imply that they were of a very low status (Read Ex. 22:31, Deut. 23:18, 2 Kgs 8:13) and destined to eat only that which is not wholesome for men. (Read Prov. 26:11, 1 Kgs 14:11). So, for Jesus to refer to her as such was bad for the press. The fact remains that Jesus was merely another Jew who had once again referred to a Canaanite as a dog - one who is undeserving of the goodies meant for the children.
Of course, Jesus did not have any intentions of insulting the Canaanite woman. He probably threw this painful reality of her life and history at her as a test of her faith and resolve. Her humble but great faith prevailed over pain. It was only after gracefully accepting and handling what should ordinarily make her take offence that her miracle was activated.
Beloved, sometimes your breakthrough might be hiding behind your 'insults'. Allowing them to embitter you will only prevent you from receiving your miracles. As Christians, we must not allow insults of any kind to affect our faith and resolve. For insults, as bad as they are, can bring the good out of us. They can push us to push God with outstanding faith. Remember Hannah? Her miracle came when painful insults from Peninnah (her rival) pushed her to go and cry to God in faith (1 Sam. 1:1-11). She never fought or engaged in an argument with her rival; she prayed.
Sometimes, God allows us to be pushed to see what we are made of, to see whether we will break away with bitterness or push back with faith. Come to think of it, we are nothing but dogs standing under the Table of the Cross, and the crumbs are indeed more than enough for us.
PRAYER
Lord God, concerning me, remember that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Amen.
May God bless you.
Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre
Sunday, August 20, 2023.
Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.
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