Pity, condemnation, or just persevering petitions. Could you imagine Jesus saying these words in 21st century USA: "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." Cancel culture would be on Him ‘like white-on-rice’! Now while I am not much of an animal person, this statement is not about humans versus animals. What Christ is speaking about for us today—the application of our faith in this modern world--is not about “us vs. them; it is about inclusion—in the scriptural and religious under-standing and not in the cultural, political way; and, it is also a lesson in persistence in our faith.

Christ wants us to see each other as one family of humanity. He does not wish us to see ourselves as a “specific kind” (white, black, American, Chinese, Middle Eastern) of person—all the adjectives that the world loves to use today, which in reality actually serve to separate us rather than unite us. Christ calls us to see His face in each other; to see our oneness of family—His Face—in one another.

At first, Christ and His apostles appear to be “separatists”: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then the Lord listens to the Canaanite woman’s plea, He sees her persistence and sees in her face her deep faith (Him)—hope and trust in the Lord.

It is also a lesson in persistence. For we know from St. Thomas Aquinas, it is the habitus—or practice of our faith that leads us to Christ. The Church tells us that Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life, and the essential part of prayer is that of adoration and thanksgiving—not just “I want, I need… Christ Himself has told us to ask Him for our needs—“ask and you shall receive.” The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel account is an example of that deep faith that the Lord wanted to see. It was not about making this pagan woman beg but rather it is to see in her perseverance that her faith would not waiver. She would stand firm in her trust in the Lord.

We can all learn from this mother, who’s love for her child made her ready to undergo a transformation—to undergo a hardship and to learn how to Trust in the Lord. The mother answered what appeared to be the Lord’s refusal to help her with another statement of faith, which illustrated that her request did not impede the Lord’s destiny to fulfill the Will of God by coming to His Chosen people.

In this connection, we see the first lesson again: our prayers for others does not negatively affect our own petitions to God or God’s power to grant blessings to others. It is never an “either/ or” but always “and all.” We are called to pray for the final good of others, even when that final good may not seem to be what we want.

For many, the phrase “it’s a mystery” is the easy-out-answer to tough Catholic questions. However, in reality, our faith is a great Mystery. In addition, it is only when we get to heaven— and that is the purpose of this life—that we shall know how God answered our sincere and persevering prayers. When we attain the Beatific Vision, knowing His Wisdom, will be the answer to this Great Mystery! Amen!