He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” (Mt 15:23-24).

I would encourage you to read the full account (Mt 15:21-28), it is only eight verses. See the link below.

Jesus’ reaction in this scene does not appear to be consistent with how he has acted toward others who have approached him in the past. Is he just having a bad day and taking it out on this woman? Is his reaction because she is a woman and a Gentile at that? I don’t think so in either case.

Jesus has seen his disciples time and again attempting to turn people away, just as recently when the five thousand were hungry and they were ready to send them to the nearby villages, knowing the hour was late to get their food. I am sure Jesus was tired that day too, all but spent, and I am sure he did not check who were the card-carrying Jews among those gathered, but he fed all present.

I wonder if Jesus was not so much testing the woman’s faith, as much as testing the faith and the response of his disciples. The woman was calling for help. Would the disciples offer to provide her support, following the lead of Jesus who they have observed so many times before? Jesus remained silent to her initial plea, what would the disciples do? They asked Jesus to send her away. Jesus appeared to support their indifference when he justified his non-response by stating that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel, clearly she was of another fold. Again, the disciples did not step up to defend the woman in need. The woman persisted. She came forward and knelt before Jesus imploring him to help her and Jesus met her with a degrading slur, referring to the woman as a dog. The disciples would now certainly appeal to Jesus for mercy, right? Nothing. Nada. His apostles stayed silent, or worse they may have even started to have a good laugh ay=t her expense.

The woman does not back down, she remains resilient. She is here because her daughter needs help and she will not be turned away. She does not react or get defensive, but comes back with her own retort that even the dogs will eat the scraps that fall from the table. Jesus then upends the whole scene and shares that the woman is the one with great faith! A woman, a Gentile, not his disciples.

Those who have great faith are the ones who believe and act on that belief. Coming up with excuses to turn people in need away is not faith. Those who are aware of the need of another and are willing to take a risk to reach out and help, that is great faith. How would we have acted in this same scenario? I invite you to read this segment in full a few times, then imagine yourself in the scene. Who are you? And honestly, how would you react? If we are going through a trial as did the woman, do we have her persistence, determination, and resilience not to give up? How can we align ourselves with Jesus and his ministry of service today? If you get a bit stuck, ask Jesus who knows for help!

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Mass Readings for today, Wednesday, August 9, 2017:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080917.cfm