A Clever Woman's Retort

Mk 7:24-30

Today's Gospel reading gives us some insight into the persona of Jesus, himself. We find him in Gentile territory trying to slink into a non descript home, likely trying to find a few respite moments. Instead, we find Jesus confronted by a desparate, Greek woman imploring Jesus for an excorism for her daughter.

In his coy sense of humor, Jesus rebutes the woman as a Gentile, unworthy of grace or favor. He suggests that Jews are the chosen children of God, and the Gentiles are merely the dogs at their feet. In fact, Jesus uses this insult to try to discourage her and push her away--suggesting that by asking for this grace, she is somehow stealing from the table of the children. But, this determined, cleaver woman turns Jesus' rebuke into an important lesson by simply stating that even dogs get scraps. She was right, and Jesus knew that, too. Her faith saved her and her daughter and opened up dialog on the important doctrine of the universality of salvation.

A Clever Woman's Retort Opens Up the Dialog

The message in this passage is very clear that salvation is a gift for all of us. But, I also take away another important lesson: it is important for all of us to be ready to respond to a challenge. Think of all the times in your life where someone criticized your values or beliefs. Have you been ready to defend the truth? If you are anything like me, you may have been ready to defend but not always ready to deliver. Sometimes I find that I can be on a six hour delay-- knowing just the right argument, but only hours too late. The moral of this story is to be strong in your convictions, but also be quick and clever in your delivery. Chances are that it won't be God on the other side of the argument, it will be the Enemy.