Thank you for your take on this episode from the Gospel. This is one of the most difficult one for me to understand, mostly about Jesus’ attitude to the Canaanite woman. In light of the fact that He knew the Scriptures, which prophesied His role as a light to the nations. NationS, not the one nation of Israel. And He doesn’t refuse the centurion’s request, even though he is not Jewish. The commentary on the USCCB readings website references the commentary surrounding the centurion’s request, and after looking it up, I got nothing.

So I still don’t have an answer for that, but your take on the mother’s position is interesting, and certainly adds to the conversation. I doubt that she practiced child sacrifice, if she went to such great lengths to get her daughter healed.

Most people today don’t realize how unusual today’s Gospel reading is. As, you have pointed out before, in the time of Christ, women were to be seen and not heard. It was pretty much forbidden for a woman to talk to a man in public and, if we are to believe the historians, they were treated like dogs. On top of that, she was a Canaanite. Like Samaritans, they didn’t get along with the Jews. Plus the religious beliefs of the Canaanite’s are mostly based on idolatry. Polytheism. The exact opposite of the Jewish faith.

So, what drove this woman to Christ? What did she see or hear that convinced her beyond a doubt to go to Him for help? To go against all customs and observances? To even take verbal abuse from Jesus and still persist? To risk everything?

Was it the love of her child? Maybe. But remember the religion she followed observes child sacrifice. Besides, she had many gods that she could of asked for help.

Was it she had nowhere else to turn, she already tried her religion? Maybe. But boy she is persistent. She seems to have to determined personality and would’ve kept sacrificing to the Canaanite gods until she died.

Or was it her conscience? The “aboriginal voice of God”. She knew. How did she know? Sometimes you just do. It’s that voice that those with ears ought to hear.

So, did she trust Him? Yes. But before that, she knew it was Him.

Mark