Sunday of the Canaanite Woman
On the Sunday preceding the beginning of the Triodion period, we hear the Gospel reading of the Canaanite Woman. Jesus has traveled to the land of the Gentiles in Tyre and Sidon. There, he encounters a woman whose daughter is in need of healing from the demon that is afflicting her. Jesus reponds that the priority of His ministry is directed toward the people of Israel, and that "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
This saying of Jesus' may appear shocking at first. It seems that Jesus is referring to this woman using a slur, calling her by the name of an unclean and comtemptible animal. In fact, this is not what Jesus is doing; instead, he is using a simple analogy to illustrate the priority of His ministry.
It was not uncommon at the time for the people of Israel to refer to Gentiles as "dogs," as unclean animals that would often be seen begging in the streets. The Greek word that was used in these cases was κύων (kyon), the common word for a dog. The use of this word to refer to the Gentiles does reflect the prejudice that the people of Israel had against outsiders. Jesus, on the other hand, rejects the use of this negative language, and instead uses the word κυνάριον (kynarion) in today's Gospel reading. This word refers, not to an unclean stray dog in the streets, but instead to a family's beloved pet.
Jesus, then, is not directing contempt at this woman for being a non-Jew. Instead, he is saying that the priority of His ministry at that time was to the people of Israel, just as a parent's first priority is to feed their children. The woman responded to Jesus with faith that, whatever amount of grace was being given to the people of Israel, it would be enough for her as well. Jesus sees and makes an example of the greatness of her faith, and her daughter is healed.
The Church puts this Gospel reading before us today to teach us about the abundance of grace that comes from Jesus Christ. This grace was enough to fill both the Israelites and the Gentiles in Jesus' day, and it remains enough to fill each of us today with His light and His love. This grace feeds us and strengthens us as we begin our approach to the Great Fast of Holy Lent.