The first Christian community had to confront their own exclusivism.
There were those who believed that salvation was meant only for the Jewish converts. There were also liberals like Saint Paul. The evangelist is presenting the perspective of Jesus on the issue.
As the evangelist relates the dialogue between Jesus, he sounds almost delighted to emphasise the increasingly harsh tone of the Master’s responses.
As the woman insists, he becomes even more severe, and says: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.”
Presenting himself as a shepherd of Israel, Jesus declares that he intends to fulfill the prophecies and the woman understands.
She knows that she is not of the chosen people. She is conscious of not belonging to the “flock of the Lord” and not having the right to salvation.
However, she relies on the goodwill and free interventions of God. Bowing down to Jesus and she begs: “Lord, help me!” The answer to her insistence is an insult: “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
The Israelites are the sheep, the Gentiles are the dogs. The term dog was often derogatively used to refer to the pagans in those days.
On the lips of Jesus this expression surprises, especially as the Canaanite woman turned to him with great respect. Three times she called him “Lord”— title with which Christians profess their faith in the Risen One — and once the “Son of David” which equates to recognising him as the messiah. It seems that, like all his country people, he also has an abomination to foreigners. But is it so?
The conclusion of the story clarifies our doubt. “Woman — says Jesus — how great your faith is.” It is a praise that has never been addressed to an Israelite woman.
The preceding provocation, the contempt for the pagans, the reference to their impurity and unworthiness — were but a clever staging. Jesus wanted his disciples radically alter the way they deal with foreigners. He “played the part” of the integral and pure Israelite to show how ridiculous and senseless the separatist mentality cultivated by his people.
While the “flock of sheep” kept themselves away from the shepherd, who want to gather them (Matthew 23:37), the “dogs” approached him and, because of their great faith, obtained salvation.
The message is as timely as ever. The Church is called to be sign that all discriminations related to gender, membership to a race, to a people or to an institution are ended.
Paul declares: “In Christ Jesus … there is no longer any difference between Jew or Greek, or between slave or freed, or between man and woman; but all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
The Canaanite woman is the model of the true believer.
Father Fernando Armellini SCJ
Claretian Publications
bibleclaret.org
Translated by Father John Ledesma SDB
Abridged by Father Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
