It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.

This is one of Jesus’s harsh sayings. It makes you wonder how could the true Lord speak to someone like this? Didn’t He come here to save all mankind, not just the jews? Yes, but It is important to note that He was not simply trying to teach her a lesson about persistance in prayer, there was something else happening here as well. Confirming this point…, Here is what St. John Chrysostom said about this passage. “if He [Jesus] was not going to help her before, then He would not have changed her daughter after she persisted.”

Persistence is definitely part of the equation, but there is definitely something more happening here. First Jesus is in the middle of His ministry (aka “feeding”) of the Jewish people. Quite literally, this is the time that He had set aside to show the jews that He is the messiah and Lord. The time for the gentiles would come after His death and resurrection. Second, He is testing her faith, and showing His disciples their future mission to the gentiles at the same time. In testing her, Jesus was making sure that she knew who He was, while at the same time, testing that that her faith in Him was sincere. But He was also showing His disciples that there is great faith among these Gentiles, and that His chosen appostles would be called later to preach to these gentiles, and lead them to the lord.

This would be hard for them, because jews of this time had a rather large opinion of themselves, as the chosen people of God, they held gentiles in very low regard, and the canaanites, and the samaritans, even lower. So He is showing his followers, that they have to put these prejudices behind them, and preach the gospel to the whole world, because all the people of the world are his Children, and all need his saving grace.

Finally, I believe that as Augustine said, God sometimes refrains from answering prayer, because he wants to prepare our souls to recieve it, and thus appreciate the gift of our answered prayer all the more. I have experienced this in my life, and I know from that experience that if we are given everything we ask for immediately, without effort, we don’t appreciate it as much as if we have to struggle and strive for it.

In summary I would like to quote Peter Kreeft, as he perfectly summarizes this entire reading:

“Jesus thus, at one stroke, gave everyone involved what they most needed: The woman needed His miracle to satisfy her love for her daughter, and she also needed her faith to be tested and strengthened. Her daughter needed the exorcism. The demon needed to go home to hell where he belonged. The disciples needed a lesson in broadness and humility versus narrowness and pride. And the world needed to see Jesus’ love and wisdom and power, the three attributes of God that most clearly manifest his divinity.”

Never stop praying, never stop asking God for his love help and mercy. But be patient, God is the good sheppard and He knows what you need, and He will give it to you when you are ready and can most appreciate it. Trust in Him and allow His grace to wash over you, and you will find the joy you most yearn for, and the happiness that only God can give you, Amen.

Oh lord please help us today to find the humility and faith needed to follow you, and to overcome the testing that you have placed in our lives, and the patience needed to recieve your grace in your time and according to your will.