In today’s Gospel reading Jesus rewards the faith and humility of the Syrophoenician woman by driving away the demon tormenting her daughter.
Using the image of a house-owner, his children and dogs, Jesus reiterates that his mission was primarily for the Jewish people: “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
In utmost humility, the desperate mother counters, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs from the children’s bread.”
How could Jesus not give a woman with such humility and faith what she was asking for?